The Cowboys defense fire sale continues following release of Donatri Poe and Daryl Worley

If you don’t believe the fire sale is happening in Dallas, start believing 

Just because a player isn’t traded doesn’t mean their time is up with a franchise. Tell that to a pair of Dallas Cowboys defenders now looking for work.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys have released defensive tackle Donatri Poe and cornerback Daryl Worley. Poe, one of the top commodities this offseason, signed a two-year $8.5 million deal to join Mike McCarthy’s team while Worley signed a one-year contract worth #3 million.

Reports earlier Wednesday suggested that both player’s time in Dallas was over before the end of the day. The team informed both Poe and Worley that if they could not find possible trading suitors, they would be released later that afternoon. Unfortunately for Dallas, no one came biting.

Old age or regression for the defenders? 

Poe, 30, has been one of the larger problems for Mike Nolan’s defensive line this year despite player over 250 snaps. Through seven games of action, the former Chiefs and Panthers standout has tallied a grand total of seven tackles and zero sacks.

Worley, 25, has only been marginally better in coverage than Poe has in the trenches. As the immediate replacement for Byron Jones on the back end, he’s tallied 14 tackles and only one pass break up. Worley also became expendable with the return of Chidobe Awuzie, who’s been out since Week 2 after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Cowboys added four veteran talents to the defense this offseason with Worley, Poe, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and defensive end Everson Griffen. All four are gone after McCoy’s season-ending injury and the team traded Griffen to the Detroit Lions for a compensational sixth-round pick Tuesday.

With veterans leaving the franchise, one has to wonder when Nolan will get his pink slip? The defensive coordinator’s hot seat is spicier than the hot sauce found in his eyes. The Cowboys defense currently ranks in the bottom 10 in total yards allowed, yards per game, rushing yards per game (178.3) and points per game (34.7).

Dallas is set for a must-win NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in what could be a pure hell of a Sunday Night Football matchup.