Charles Brown retires, leaving hole for Cowboys at swing tackle

Veteran offensive tackle Charles Brown is retiring from football, the Dallas Cowboys announced Tuesday.

The team put Brown on the reserve/ retired list, which gives them a void to fill at swing tackle. Brown handled those duties last season as the game-day third tackle, although was not needed to start as tackles Tyron Smith and Doug Free stayed healthy all season.

Brown officially made one start when the Cowboys opened a game in their jumbo package. Brown played six seasons in the NFL, spending time with the Saints, Giants and Jets before joining the Cowboys last season. Brown re-signed a one-year deal to return to the club earlier this offseason.

Last year’s third-round pick, Chaz Green out of Florida, is among the favorites to win the job. But Green hasn’t seen NFL action yet, sitting out last season after undergoing hip surgery.

The Cowboys made a couple other changes at the tackle spot, too. They released David Hedelin, and signed Darryl Baldwin and Cameron Bradfield.

Baldwin, an Ohio State product, has spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, but has yet to see NFL action. Bradfield, meanwhile, spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and started 27 of the 41 games he played between 2011-14.

Bradfield has since spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals, but sat out of football last season.

Along with Green, Baldwin and Bradfield, the Cowboys also have tackles Justin Renfrow and Ryan Mack in the swing tackle mix.

This story was originally published July 26, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Charles Brown retires, leaving hole for Cowboys at swing tackle."