IRVING, Texas -The Cowboys released veteran guard Montrae Holland on Sunday and filled his vacated spot on the roster with third-year fullback Tony Fiammetta, who was claimed off waivers from Carolina.
The Cowboys released four fullbacks Saturday - incumbent starter Chris Gronkowski, seventh-round pick Shaun Chapas and two position converts, Jason Pociask and Isaiah Greenhouse. Gronkowski was picked up by Indianapolis on waivers.
A 2009 fourth-round pick of the Panthers, Fiammetta has 22 rushing yards on seven carries in his career, and has caught five passes for 34 yards. The 25-year old, 6-0, 242-pound Syracuse product has appeared in 24 games over the last two seasons in Carolina.
To fill Holland's spot on the offensive line, the Cowboys have agreed to terms with a veteran replacement, Derrick Dockery, who has spent six of his eight NFL seasons with Washington, but was without a team this preseason.
With Fiammetta filling Holland's spot on the 53-man roster, the Cowboys must release another player before they can officially sign Dockery.
Sunday's moves are the first of what will likely be numerous adjustments to the original 53-man roster the Cowboys whittled down to on Saturday by releasing 27 players.
Along with Gronkowski, two more of the Cowboys' cuts were picked up by other teams. Safety Andrew Sendejo is headed to the New York Jets, and fifth-round cornerback Josh Thomas was claimed by Carolina.
Holland, who the Cowboys acquired via trade during the 2008 preseason, was considered a favorite to start for the team after Leonard Davis was waived before training camp. He reported to San Antonio in poor shape, however, and spent time with athletic trainers rehabbing injuries and improving his conditioning. In the meanwhile, rookie seventh-round pick Bill Nagy stole a job as the first-team left guard.
A third-round pick of New Orleans in 2003, Holland started 30 games in four seasons with the Saints, and all 16 in 2007 after he signed with Denver. The Broncos traded him to Dallas for a fifth-round pick before the 2008 season, but he struggled to get onto the field for the Cowboys, starting only four games in his three seasons, and only dressed for 21 of a possible 48 appearances.
Since the league year began, the Cowboys have released four veterans along the offensive line - Holland, along with Davis, Marc Colombo and Andre Gurode who, like Holland, reported to camp injured and in poor shape.
Dockery, a native of nearby Garland, Texas, auditioned for the Cowboys on Saturday. Dockery was also a third-round pick in 2003. He started all but three games in his first seven seasons with the Redskins and Bills, but injured his left knee in 2010 and started only twice.
A University of Texas product, the 6-6, 330-pound Dockery will turn 31 on Friday. He will likely sign with the Cowboy in time to practice on Monday.
