Cowboys cut Ryan Williams ahead of training camp

Ryan-Williams;-Arizona-Cardinals;-NFL;-Dallas-Cowboys

Ryan Williams was a second-round pick by Arizona in 2011 but has appeared in just five games because of knee and shoulder injuries. (Joe Mahoney/AP)

IRVING, Texas — Ryan Williams, one of the possible replacements for NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray, has been released by the Cowboys.

The oft-injured Williams was among three players cut Tuesday before the team left for training camp in Oxnard, California. The first workout is Thursday.

The 25-year-old Williams was a second-round pick by Arizona in 2011 but has appeared in just five games because of knee and shoulder injuries. He missed most of this off-season with knee problems.

The Cowboys signed running back Gus Johnson, an undrafted rookie out of Stephen F. Austin. He will join a group led by Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar.

Dallas also signed centre Ronald Patrick while releasing linebacker Cameron Lawrence and tackle Ryan Miller.

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