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Anthony Spencer doubtful to return to Cowboys

By Ryan Ratty

Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer (93) wait for the play to begin during the game against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cowboys 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer (93) wait for the play to begin during the game against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cowboys 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Anthony Spencer will likely not be on the Dallas Cowboys in 2015.

Ever since his 2012 season, the last year of his rookie deal, Anthony Spencer has really been a huge failure for the Dallas Cowboys. After years of living in DeMarcus Ware’s shadow, Spencer broke in 2012 and established himself as one of the better defensive ends in the league against the run and pass.

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In that season, Spencer totaled 95 tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles. After this year, Spencer was franchised tagged for the second year in a row by the Cowboys, as the team wanted to see more efficiency before they awarded him with a long-term deal.

In 2013, there was a thought that Spencer could become elite, as Dallas would be transforming their defense into a 4-3 scheme, which was the defense Spencer played in at Purdue. A bone bruise injury on his knee in preseason would keep him out until Week 2. After just a few plays in that game, Spencer left the game and it was reported after the game that he would need microfracture surgery on the knee. The surgery would keep him out for the rest of the season. The Cowboys then signed Spencer on a one-year deal. However, Spencer failed to work himself back into the starting lineup, as Jeremy Mincey and even rookie DeMarcus Lawrence, when he came back to the field in November, outplayed Spencer.

According to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, Spencer is unlikely to return to the Cowboys. In his weekly Twitter mailbag, Archer was asked if Spencer was still in the Cowboys’ plans. This was his response:

With the signing of Greg Hardy, the continuing development of Lawrence, and Mincey returning for another season, the fact of the matter is that Spencer really doesn’t have a spot in the Cowboys’ plans. It should also be said that the price tag he will want will be too much for the Cowboys, as they do not have that much cap space. Despite Spencer leaving, the Cowboys have gotten better in terms of their pass rushers. Spencer was good for a few seasons, but his absence won’t be greatly missed.

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