NFL

Cowboys Sign Mike Nugent, Release Damontre Moore

Dallas Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey’s strained groin resulted in kicker Mike Nugent getting a job and defensive end Damontre Moore losing a job.

The Cowboys signed Nugent, a 12-year veteran, on Tuesday after he won a kicking tryout against Sam Irwin-Hall, who spent training camp with Cowboys, and Jason Myers, who was released by Jacksonville last week.

Bailey, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, is expected to miss at least two weeks. He felt a twinge during pre-game warmups Sunday, and his condition worsened during the first quarter, when he kicked off twice and made two extra points.

Safety Jeff Heath handled the rest of the Cowboys’ place-kicking duties on Sunday. Now, Nugent will take over until Bailey returns.

Nugent, a former second-round draft choice, has made 236 of 292 field goals (80.8 percent) in his career. He’s 145 of 184 field goals (78.8 percent) between 30 and 50 yards.

Nugent failed to beat out Aldick Rosas for the New York Giants' job in training camp and has been waiting for an opportunity.

To make room for Nugent, the Cowboys released Moore.

Multiple sources said Moore’s release had nothing to do with him raising a fist during the national anthem before the Cowboys’ game against Green Bay earlier this month.

Nor did it have anything to do with an alleged incident at an Uptown Dallas club, according two club sources.

Moore’s lack of production led to his release. The Cowboys signed Moore to a one-year deal worth $775,000 to help with their pass rush — he had 10 sacks in 52 career games — but he managed just 58 snaps in three games with the Cowboys.

He did not record a sack, but had four pressures and seven tackles. He was suspended for the first two games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and was inactive last week against San Francisco.

The Cowboys were heavy on the defensive line, and there’s a chance defensive end Charles Tapper could return late in the season, so they felt comfortable releasing Moore.

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