Cowboys play wait and see on Spencer

While the Dallas Cowboys lost two starters from their defensive line in free agency, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher, a third projected starter might return.

Defensive end Anthony Spencer played in just one game last season due to knee injuries and he eventually had microfracture surgery, which he's still recovering from.

Stephen Jones, the Cowboys executive vice president, said the team is open to Spencer returning in 2014.

"We think the world of Anthony," Jones said Monday. "Hopefully he’ll get where he needs to be. I’d like to hope he’d get healthy and play for us."

Spencer is working out at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch complex and there's a hope he will be ready when training camp starts in July. Spencer's 2014 team hasn't been determined and he visited the Washington Redskins two weeks ago. The Redskins had an objective of signing Hatcher and Spencer but were only able to get Hatcher.

Spencer has to prove to NFL teams his knee will be healthy enough to play at some point in 2014. Some teams might wait until the middle of training camp, others want Spencer at the start of camp.

There is no guarantee Spencer will be ready for camp given the severity of the surgery, but the Cowboys do like the former 2007 first-round pick.