Right tackle Doug Free took a pay cut last offseason in order to remain with the Cowboys and turned in a rebound season after a dreadful 2012 campaign.
Free cut his penalties way down and was a more effective blocker than he’d been in the previous couple of seasons, giving the Cowboys a consistent output at both tackle spots for the first time in a few years. Now the Cowboys will have to hope that offseason ankle surgery doesn’t take anything away from Free’s future performance.
Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports that Free had a cleanup procedure on his right ankle shortly after the season. He’s expected to be ready for offseason work and is set to make $3.5 million for the second straight season, a number he earned in 2013 and one that should keep him around for the final year of his contract with the Cowboys.
Archer also reports that wide receiver Dwayne Harris had shoulder surgery. Harris had just nine catches during the regular season, but ranked among the top kickoff and punt returners in the league. He’s signed for $645,000 next season, which likely means he’ll be back returning kicks in Dallas.