IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys released quarterback Brandon Weeden on Tuesday, clearing the way for Tony Romo to return to the active roster.

Cowboys officials said as recently as Tuesday morning that they were still determining what to do with their quarterback depth, but it appears that they'll go forward with just Romo and Matt Cassel at the position. The roster currently has two vacant spots, as the Cowboys also released Keith Smith earlier this week.

It was long assumed that Weeden would be a roster casualty when Romo returned from the broken collarbone that has sidelined him the last eight weeks. Weeden started three games during Romo's absence, completing 71 percent of his passes for 666 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions – but losing all three games.

Cassel replaced him as the team's starter during their Week 6 bye week, and he started all four games since that point – also failing to record a win.

The Cowboys signed Weeden to a veteran minimum deal during the 2014 offseason, after he was released by the Cleveland Browns. He started one game last year while Romo was coping with a back injury, losing to Arizona. During his stint in Dallas, he did fill in admirably in wins against Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Washington in 2014, as well as helping the Cowboys close out a Week 2 win in Philadelphia this year.