Cowboys cut Wiley, Nix

The Dallas Cowboys began their cuts to get down to the Tuesday-mandated 65 players, releasing running back Michael Wiley and defensive tackle John Nix on Monday.

Wiley had been an all-purpose player and primarily a third-down back in his three seasons with the Cowboys. He was hampered this preseason by a rotator cuff injury and missed valuable time to show new coach Bill Parcells what he could do.

Nix played in 30 games as a reserve the past two seasons and made 43 tackles.

This officially puts the roster at 67 players. The Cowboys will receive a roster exemption providing they keep defensive end Kevin DeRonde, who played in NFL Europe this summer.

Rookie Al Johnson, the team's second-round pick, had microfracture surgery Aug. 8 to repair cartilage in his right knee. He will be placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire season. That move will get the Cowboys to 66 players the 65 limit plus the 1 roster exemption for DeRonde.