Quarterback Kyle Orton was released Wednesday by the Dallas Cowboys, an expected move after Tony Romo’s backup was a no-show during offseason workouts.
Orton skipped the workouts amid reports that he was considering retirement. He was subjected to about $70,000 in fines for failing to report during the offseason and missing the mandatory minicamp in June.
By releasing Orton, the Cowboys save his $3.25 million base salary this season. But he will count about $1.1 million to their salary cap this season and about $2.2 million to next year’s cap.
The Cowboys report to training camp in California next week with Brandon Weeden as the backup quarterback and Caleb Hanie also on the roster
Weeden, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2012, signed with the Cowboys in March and worked with the first team during the offseason while Romo recovered from back surgery.
Orton threw for 15,019 yards with 83 touchdowns and 59 interceptions in 75 career games for Chicago (2005-08), Denver (2009-11), Kansas City (2011) and Dallas (2012-13). He was 35-35 as a starter, only one of those coming with the Cowboys.
After getting into just one game in his first season with the Cowboys in 2012, Orton played briefly in two games last season before starting against the Eagles. He was 30 of 46 for 358 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions against Philadelphia, including one late that clinched the Eagles’ 24-22 win in the season finale.
Meanwhile, New England Patriots first-year defensive lineman Armond Armstead announced his retirement Wednesday.
The 23-year-old battled an assortment of conditions throughout his career. An infection before the start of 2013 training camp ultimately landed him on season-ending injured reserve. He never played a game with the team.
The Buffalo Bills signed free agent linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, the team announced. Sylvester worked out for the team Wednesday morning and was signed in the afternoon.
Sylvester (6-foot-2, 231 pounds) played the last four seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers mainly on special teams. The former fifth-round pick in 2010 has appeared in 50 games in his NFL career and has lined up at both inside and outside linebacker.
To make room for Sylvester on the roster, the Bills released tight end Mike Caussin, who battled injuries through much of his time with the Bills.