Danno

2013 season

For the second year in a row, the Cowboys put the franchise tag on Spencer. The tender is worth $9.6 million. Under Monte Kiffin as new defensive coordinator, both Spencer and DeMarcus Ware were expected to play as defensive ends as the team reverted to a 4–3 defense. He missed all of the preseason after a surgical procedure that at the time was said to be for a bone bruise on his left knee. He came back to play against the Kansas City Chiefs registering 2 tackles and one quarterback hurry. After experiencing pain in his knee following the game, he underwent season ending microfracture surgery.



2014 season

After remaining a free agent for over a month, Spencer re-signed with the Cowboys with a one-year deal on April 26. Recovering from career threatening knee surgery, there were questions of how much he would play in 2014. His recovery ramped up at the end of training camp and was able to come back for the fourth game against the New Orleans Saints. He was solid against the run and steadily improved as a pash rusher, finishing with 17 quarterback pressures (tied for fourth on the team).

In the playoffs against the Detroit Lions he played a season-high 40 snaps and finished the game with 3 tackles, one sack and forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that would of ended the game if DeMarcus Lawrence had not fumbled the ball while returning it. In two playoff games he registered a sack and led the team with 7 quarterback pressures.