Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has confirmed that the team have released long-serving defensive end DeMarcus Ware.

Ware leaves the franchise as their all-time leader in sacks having recorded 117 in an illustrious nine-year career with the team.

The 31-year-old would have counted more than $16m (£9.6m) against the Cowboys' salary cap for the 2014 season, while his release frees up $7.4m (£4.45m) in cap space.

Ware was voted to the Pro Bowl for seven consecutive seasons between 2006-12, establishing himself as one of the league's most dominant defensive players in that time.

However, a quadriceps strain forced him to miss three games at the start of the 2013 campaign, and he went on to record a career-low six sacks last season while struggling with a number of other injuries.

"A decision like this, involving a man who is a cornerstone player in the history of your franchise, is extremely difficult," Jones is quoted as saying by ESPN.

Ware, who was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 Draft, will reportedly look to make a quick decision on the future of his career.