Cowboys cut deals to get under cap

The Dallas Cowboys are close to getting under the salary cap after restructuring the contracts of quarterback Tony Romo, linebacker Sean Lee and cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

The adjustment on the six-year, $108 million extension Romo signed last year will save Dallas about $10 million on the salary cap, while the conversions on Lee and Scandrick will cut about $7 million. Lee and Scandrick also got new contracts last year.

With the reworked deals announced Tuesday, the Cowboys are slightly less than $1 million over the $133 million cap a week before they must clear the remaining space.

Dallas now has time to work on reducing defensive end DeMarcus Ware’s salary cap hit of $16 million. He had a career-low six sacks in 2013.

Meanwhile, defensive end Greg Hardy has signed his franchise tag tender with the Carolina Panthers, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing has not been made official.

Hardy, who said in January he’d have no issue if the team used the franchise tag to keep him, will make $13.1 million for one season if he doesn’t sign a long-term extension.

The Panthers have until July 15 to sign Hardy to a long-term deal. After that date, they can’t discuss a contract extension until after the season.

When the Panthers used the franchise tag on Hardy on Friday, general manager Dave Gettleman said in a press release it was done to buy more time to potentially work out a long-term extension with the former Mississippi star. The four-year NFL veteran had 15 sacks last season, tying a franchise record previously established by Kevin Greene in 1996, and was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

AP