Cowboys cut Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens' days in Dallas are over after all.

ESPN and Fox Sports are among several outlets reporting that the Cowboys have cut Owens, who averaged 1,196 receiving yards in three seasons with the team. The Cowboys had yet to confirm the move as of 2 a.m. ET Thursday morning.

Owens' divisive effect inside the Cowboys locker room may have prompted Owens' dismissal. In December, the Cowboys had several off-field dramas as a fissure developed between Owens and QB Tony Romo.

Owens at several points during the season publicly asked for a bigger role in the offense.

"You know what he brings as far as personality and the good and bad of it all," ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Steve Young said on the network Wednesday night. "The Cowboys seemed to have found a dance step to at least survive it.

"It's still semi-surprising that they'd actually pull the trigger."

Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones had been non-committal on Owens' future until this point in the offseason. Asked last week if it was his intention to keep Owens, Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "You got my drift. And that's all I want to say about that."

The Dallas Morning News, which also reported Owens' dismissal, said the team will take a $9 million salary cap hit. Owens signed a three-year contract extension last summer.

Owens' dismissal puts two of the top six all-time leaders in receptions, with Marvin Harrison, on the market this offseason. Owens' 951 receptions rank sixth and Harrison's 1,102 are second.

Harrison was cut by the Colts last month.

Where Owens will play next is uncertain, but Young said it would have to be a confident, mature team that could handle his temperamental personality.

Said fellow ESPN analyst and former Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson, "He probably has 3-4 years left in him."