Johnson (hamstring) was waived by the Cowboys on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports.

The oft-injured safety succumbed to a hamstring sprain in late July that kept him off the field for much of training camp, prompting the club to cut ties. He could still be stashed on injured reserve by the club if he passes through waivers unclaimed, as expected.

Johnson will see a specialist to determine if his back is contributing to his repeated hamstring injuries, the Dallas Morning News reports.

The safety hasn't yet played in an NFL game since being drafted in 2012, and if the Cowboys don't see some good news from him on the injury front they'll have little choice but to part ways with Johnson.

Cowboys S Matt Johnson is week to week with a hamstring injury.

So it goes for a 2012 fourth-rounder, who's yet to make a regular-season appearance because of injuries. He missed all of 2012 with hamstring issues. Although owner/GM Jerry Jones has remained high on Johnson's ability, his latest injury could imperil his roster spot if it lingers.

Jerry Jones said the Cowboys did not need to draft a safety high because they view S Matt Johnson as the equivalent of a high-round pick.

Johnson was drafted in the fourth-round two years ago but has yet to play in an NFL game due to a string of injuries. The Cowboys remain high on Johnson despite the injuries, and he should challenge J.J. Wilcox for the starting strong safety job in camp. Still only 24, Johnson needs to stay healthy to avoid being cut.

Cowboys S Matt Johnson (foot) is expected to be cleared for OTAs.

Johnson spent all last season on I.R. and has struggled with durability issues since entering the league in 2012. He's a candidate for the strong safety job, but will need to stay healthy to avoid getting cut. 24-year-old Johnson will get one last look this preseason. He's believed to be a favorite of Jerry Jones.

Cowboys placed FS Matt Johnson on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season.

A favorite of Jerry Jones, Johnson hasn't been able to stay on the field since being selected in the fourth round of last year's draft. He didn't play in a single game last season due to recurring hamstring woes. Johnson has been sidelined all preseason with the foot injury. He'll get one last look next summer.

Cowboys FS Matt Johnson (foot) is not expected to play in Friday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Johnson just cannot stay off the trainer's table; he played limited snaps in Sunday's Hall of Fame game. At this point, Will Allen and rookie J.J. Wilcox have better shots at opening the season as the starter next to Barry Church.

Cowboys FS Matt Johnson (hamstring) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Johnson hasn't had any setbacks during OTAs and will compete with Will Allen for the Cowboys' starting free safety job. Third-round pick J.J. Wilcox will also get an extended look in the preseason.

Cowboys second-year S Matt Johnson blames his weightlifting regimen for his recurring hamstring woes as a rookie.

Johnson said he was squatting too much in the gym, and he has since focused on doing more hamstring workouts. "When you get to the pros, and playing at safety, I don't need to squat 500 pounds," Johnson said. "We did more position specific and more dynamic work." Johnson says he's lost a couple pounds since last season and feels more comfortable. He's competing for a starting job.

The Dallas Morning News reports second-year S Matt Johnson is penciled in as the Cowboys' starting free safety.

Johnson missed his entire rookie season with a lingering hamstring injury, but the Cowboys remain very high on him. "I don't know when I've ever seen a player impress our staff without having played in a ballgame any more than Matt Johnson," owner/GM Jerry Jones said. Barry Church, who tore his Achilles' in Week 3, would be the other starting safety if the season started today.

ESPN Dallas still believes the Cowboys want Matt Johnson to win the starting free safety job.

Although Johnson missed his entire rookie year with recurring hamstring woes, the Cowboys remain high on him. They are bringing Will Allen in to compete, but he'll ideally be the third safety and play on special teams.

Executive VP Stephen Jones says the Cowboys remain high on safety Matt Johnson.

"We like him a lot," Jones said. "But Does Matt finally get rid of some of the hamstring issues. He never had them in college." Johnson missed his entire rookie season with recurring hamstring woes, but Jones says he's in the mix for the starting strong safety job at the moment.

Cowboys placed S Matt Johnson (hamstring) on injured reserve designated for return.

Johnson has yet to play a defensive snap this season due to recurring hamstring woes. Dallas has been mulling this decision over for weeks now, and the team finally made the move after activating C Kevin Kowalski (ankle) from PUP. Johnson will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks and would only be available if the Cowboys make the playoffs.

Head coach Jason Garrett confirmed that season-ending injured reserve is a possibility for rookie S Matt Johnson (hamstring).

Johnson hasn't played in a game this season after recurring hamstring issues. He was expected to make his debut on Sunday against Carolina, but the fourth-rounder suffered a setback in Friday's practice. Garrett said that Johnson has "practiced well," but "you don't want to waste that roster spot all year long, so at some point there's going to be a decision we have to make."

Cowboys fourth-round S Matt Johnson suffered another hamstring injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.

Johnson missed most of training camp with an initial hamstring injury, but suffered one to his other leg on Saturday. Initially considered to be a contender for regular snaps, if not a starting job, Johnson doesn't figure to make a big rookie-season impact.