IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed linebacker Ernie Sims to a one-year deal worth a reported $715,000.

Sims joined the Cowboys in midseason last year when defensive leader Sean Lee was lost for the season with a toe injury. The seven-year veteran ended up making six starts and finished with 42 tackles in 10 games.

Sims will be in a group of players batting for a starting job at outside linebacker. The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 defense, and Sean Lee and Bruce Carter will fill two of the starting spots. Lee is likely to be the middle linebacker.

The 28-year-old Sims was a first-round pick by Detroit in 2006 and spent four seasons there before a year each in Philadelphia and Indianapolis.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)