AP

For the second time this week, a franchise-tagged player has become evidence for why players hate the tag so much.

Via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones just said on his KRLD radio show that defensive end Anthony Spencer would need knee surgery, and is likely done for the season.

Spencer’s been tagged by the Cowboys the last two offseasons, and the lack of a long-term deal now comes into sharp focus. He’s signed for a guaranteed $10.6 million this year.

Spencer was coming back from surgery in July, and played 34 snaps against the Chiefs in Week Two, but was inactive last week against the Rams after practicing once.

While Spencer said last week he didn’t think he’d need a microfracture procedure, Jones said he apparently would now.

Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton, who was tagged this year for $8.45 million, suffered a torn ACL Sunday night.

Now, both will enter the job market next year with no guarantees.