IRVING, Texas -- On Saturday, the Dallas Cowboys placed guard Nate Livings on injured reserve. On Thursday, the Cowboys reached an injury settlement with the veteran guard and released him, but it doesn’t mean he will never be in a Cowboys uniform again.
Livings’ $1.7 million base salary was guaranteed as part of the five-year, $19 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2012.
The team reached a three-week injury settlement with Livings, but he will be allowed to return to the Cowboys after the Nov. 3 game against Minnesota if they need offensive line help. If he joins another team, the Cowboys would be on the hook only for the difference between the $1.7 million and his new base salary.
Livings started every game last year at left guard but had right knee surgery following the season and a similar procedure during training camp. The time off will allow Livings to rehab on his own and get healthy. He will count $2.1 million against the salary cap in 2014.
The Cowboys also waived defensive end Travis Chappelear off injured reserve. He suffered an injury in pregame warmups at Arizona on Aug. 17.
