IRVING (105.3 THE FAN) – The Dallas Cowboys have until 3 p.m. Tuesday to get below the NFL salary-cap ceiling of $123 million and are on Monday taking steps to do so with the release of backup linebacker Dan Connor (saving $3 million) and the restructuring of the contracts of defensive back Orlando Scandrick and Mackenzy Bernadeau.

The major focus at Valley Ranch is the extension of quarterback Tony Romo, which would offer huge relief from his $16.8 million cap impact – maybe cutting that in half. Dallas is also working on a long-term deal with defensive end Anthony Spencer, who was franchise-tagged last week.

Recently, the team cut safety Gerald Sensabaugh and restructured the contracts of DeMarcus Ware, Miles Austin, Brandon Carr, Jason Witten and Ryan Cook. Doing so dropped them under the ceiling until they tagged Spencer.

The team will dip back under if it decides to submit new deals arranged for Mackenzy Bernadeau, Nate Livings and Jay Ratliff. Fullback Lawrence Vickers and defensive lineman Marcus Spears could also be cap casualties.

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