Spencer (undisclosed) is being placed on injured reserve, reports the Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

EDGE Analysis

A former first-round draft pick and Pro Bowler, the 31-year-old Spencer had just one-half sack in 13 games for the Cowboys last season. The Saints probably won't have much of a pass-rush, but there is some hope that rookie Hau'oli Kikaha, who had 19 sacks for the University of Washington last season, can help DE Cameron Jordan in that department.

Spencer signed a one-year contract with the Saints on Friday. Spencer had a down season for the Cowboys in 2014, after missing nearly all of 2013 to undergo microfracture knee surgery. The former first-round draft pick is still only 31 years old, and he should provide the Saints with some added depth, at the very least. If he can somehow get back to his top form from his 2012 breakout season, Spencer could be one of the biggest steals of the free-agency period. He doesn't yet warrant IDP consideration.

Spencer (knee) recorded three tackles in his return to action on Sunday. He didn't make a big impact, but it could take some time for Spencer to shake off the rust after missing an entire year due to microfracture surgery. Given his ability to rack up both tackles and sacks, he does have some IDP upside if he's able to make it all the way back to his pre-injury form.

Spencer (knee) is not included on the Cowboys' inactive list, allowing him to make his season debut Sunday night versus the Saints. Spencer will make his 2014 debut in Week 4, after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee last October. Given Spencer's time off, the veteran might be limited in some capacity Sunday, but his return should certainly boost a Dallas defense in search of playmakers.

Spencer (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans. Spencer logged limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, but he sat out Friday, making his Sunday situation unclear.

While Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones is optimistic that Spencer (knee) will be in the lineup for Week 4, coach Jason Garrett was a little more guarded in his assessment of Spencer's chances, the Dallas Morning News reports. "We'll just see � take him day-by-day," Garrett said on Monday. "He's worked very hard the last few weeks just to get back. We'll see what he's able to do on Wednesday." Spencer seems close to seeing his first game action in over a year following his knee injury and microfracture surgery, but we'll have a better idea of his availability once his activity level during practice this week becomes clear.

Spencer (knee) is out for Sunday's game against St. Louis. Spencer made two limited practice showings this week, but ended up sitting Friday. It's not clear whether he might be able to play next week, but his return to practice seems encouraging, in any case.

Spencer (knee) could return to practice on a limited basis this week, the Dallas Morning News reports. Given that it's been a year since he saw any game action, a Week 3 return to the lineup seems overly optimistic, but Spencer is inching closer to getting back on the field.

Spencer (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's opener against the 49ers, ESPN Dallas reports. Spencer's removal from the PUP list over the weekend allows him to return before six weeks of the season are complete. However, he missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday, spurring the Cowboys to rule the pass rusher out for Week 1. Once he's recovered from last October's microfracture surgery, he'll factor into a defensive front that is fairly inexperienced.

As expected, Spencer was removed from the PUP list Saturday, the Dallas Morning News reports. Though he isn't expected to play in the Cowboys' opener, Spencer has a shot to make it back within the first six weeks of the season, something he couldn't have done had the team left him on the PUP list. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in October, and there's no guarantee that he'll play at a high level upon returning.