Wednesday, February 25, 1998

Cowboys release Wade Wilson

IRVING, Texas (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys released backup quarterback Wade Wilson on Tuesday to clear room under the salary cap, but hinted he might be re-signed later.

Also Tuesday, Dallas waived 34-year-old defensive tackle Tony Casillas, who is retiring after 12 NFL seasons and two stints with the Cowboys.

Wilson, 39, still has one season left under his contract, but Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said the team wanted to create more flexibility to sign free agents.

"There were salary cap implications involved in this move," Jones said. 'We are going to keep all of our options in regard to Wade open, and we know he will keep his options as far as we're concerned open as well."

Wilson, a 17-year NFL veteran, has seen little duty during his two seasons as Troy Aikman's backup.

The alumnus of East Texas State, now Texas A&M-Commerce, has completed 57.2 percent of his 2,340 passes for 16,720 yards, 92 touchdowns and 98 interceptions over his career. Last season, he was 12-of-21 for 115 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL draft. In 11 seasons with the Vikings, he led the team to the playoffs three years in a row (1987-89).

Released by the Vikings before the 1991 training camp, he played 1992 with the Atlanta Falcons and 1993-94 with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Cowboys as Aikman's backup.