Cowboys Rumors: Taco Charlton Will Be Released If DAL Can't Find Trade Partner

Taco Charlton's time with the Dallas Cowboys will likely come to an end soon, even if the team can't find a trade partner for the defensive end. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater, the Cowboys will release Charlton if they are unable to deal him. 

Slater previously reported the Cowboys had trade discussions involving Charlton, who "made it clear" during the offseason he wanted to be dealt prior to final roster cuts Aug. 31

Even though Charlton has been healthy, the Cowboys have made him inactive for their first two games this season. In a since-deleted tweet responding to a fan question about why he hasn't played, the 24-year-old told the team to "free me."

"Trust me the last thing I want to do is to have to go to social media to get what I want so I can play football again," Charlton wrote in a subsequent tweet.

The Cowboys have a loaded defense that will get deeper with Robert Quinn returning this week from a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. DeMarcus Lawrence, Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods and Tyrone Crawford start on the defensive line. 

A first-round pick by the Cowboys in 2017, Charlton has struggled to play his way into their defensive rotation. He started seven out of the 11 games he played last season but recorded just 27 combined tackles and one sack.