Cowboys Shopping Linebacker Greg Ellis

The Dallas Cowboys are shopping outside linebacker Greg Ellis, multiple sources told FanHouse on Thursday. Ellis is one of the most trusted defenders the team has, but it would like to push 2007 first-round pick Anthony Spencer into a starting role.

Ellis is in the last year of his contract and if released, is owed $1.5 million by the Cowboys as part of a contractually agreed upon settlement.

Dallas is serious about a potential move because on Thursday, the final day of this week's organized team activities, the team sent Ellis home, not allowing him to practice. The Cowboys did this last year during some OTAs, and coach Wade Phillips said then it was to not wear Ellis down. He turns 34 in August.

This week the team held a team meeting with several of its veterans including Tony Romo, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears. Ellis, who is tied with left tackle Flozell Adams with the longest tenure on the team, was not invited to the meeting by the coaches. Ellis took that as a sign he might not be wanted.

Last year the Cowboys pushed Ellis to become a pass rushing specialist, but he was reluctant to do that. The team instead kept him as the starter, taking him off the field on certain run situations in favor of Spencer. Phillips said they only started Ellis to keep him happy.

When the season ended, Ellis finished tied for second on the team with eight sacks and 10th overall with 55 tackles. Now it seems the Cowboys want to go with Spencer in a full-time role. Spencer battled injuries last year and had only 1.5 sacks and six quarterback pressures in 12 games.

At the draft, the Cowboys selected two outside linebackers, Victor Butler and Brandon Williams, but owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Ellis was on the roster and that no moves were forthcoming.

Jones also said he understood Ellis' frustration with his role, saying it's something that happens every year.

The Cowboys have targeted New England and Cincinnati as potential teams for Ellis. The Patriots have been interested in an outside pass rusher and were in the market for Jason Taylor, who has now signed with Miami. But the Pats have no interest in Ellis, according to one of the sources.

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was Ellis' coach in Dallas from 1999 to 2006 and there is a comfort level there between them.

Ellis is scheduled to make a base salary of $4.15 million this season and has a cap number of $6.25 million.

Latest Dallas Cowboys Images

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a news conference to unveil the world's largest 1080p HDTV video board at Cowboys Stadium, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The screens, weighing 600 tons, stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers questions after a news conference to unveil the world's largest 1080p HDTV video board at Cowboys Stadium, Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. The screens, weighing 600 tons, stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and head coach Wade Phillips (right) watch practice at Standridge Stadium in Carrollton, Texas, on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News/MCT)

MCT

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) walks onto the field at the team's temporary practice facility in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) has his helmet adjusted by running back Marion Barber during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws at the team's temporary practice facility in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, left, shares a laugh with head coach Wade Phillips during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis uses a bull horn to talk during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, center, talks to players during a team practice in Carrollton, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. DeCamillis showed up for the first day of organized team activities, wearing a neck brace, but walking around among the players. He was released from the hospital May 10, just eight days after getting hurt in the collapse of the team's practice facility. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

-- FILE -- In this Nov. 22, 2007, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas. Clemens was considered the favorite to be the starting quarterback until the team traded up from No. 17 to No. 5 and took a player they believe is the future of the franchise. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez,file)