FRISCO, Texas – As expected, the Cowboys officially placed longtime offensive tackle Doug Free on the Reserve/Retired list this week.
Free played 10 seasons in Dallas. A fourth-round pick in 2007, he was a starter for eight straight seasons at right and left tackle from 2009-16. He had been the elder statesman the last few years on a dominant offensive line that features All-Pros Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin.
With Free leaning toward retirement earlier this offseason, the Cowboys signed five-year veteran offensive tackle Byron Bell in March. Bell is expected to compete with 2015 third-round pick Chaz Green for Free's old right tackle spot.
Free is the second former Cowboy to go on Reserve/Retired this week. DeMarcus Ware, the team's all-time leader in quarterback sacks, re-signed in ceremonial fashion Monday so he could retire with the organization that drafted him back in 2005.
