Defensive tackle Stephen Paea, who has battled knee injuries since signing a one-year, $2 million contract in March, told the coaches he is retiring, per sources.
It’s a huge setback for the Cowboys defense as he is one of its top run defenders. Paea was credited with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss, and one QB pressure in four games.
Paea, 29, has not practiced the last few weeks in an effort to manage the injury so he could play in games on Sunday.
He played in the first four games but was held out of last Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.