Cowboys signed DE Martez Wilson and waived DT Everett Dawkins.

Raiders waived DE/OLB Martez Wilson.

Wilson was claimed off waivers from the Saints in October. Wilson has been active three times in Oakland, but had yet to make an appearance on the stat-sheet. The No. 72 pick of the 2011 draft is running out of chances.

Raiders claimed DE/OLB Martez Wilson off waivers from the Saints.

Wilson was waived by the Saints on Tuesday. The No. 72 overall pick in the 2011 draft has five career sacks in limited duty through his first 33 career games. It's worth the gamble for the Raiders. Wilson can play outside linebacker or defensive end in a 4-3 defense. He'll also contribute on special teams. The Raiders waived DT Christo Bilukidi in a corresponding transaction.

Saints waived OLB Martez Wilson.

Just two years removed from being the No. 72 pick of the 2011 draft, Wilson had been active only four times this season, playing 42 snaps. Wilson was also ineffective for the Saints' historically bad defense in 2012. It's still surprising he's being cut loose. His draft pedigree could earn him a few looks on waivers.

Martez Wilson (elbow) said he was held out of Sunday's Week 1 win over the Falcons as a precaution.

Saints OLB Martez Wilson is inactive for Week 1 against the Falcons.

Wilson supposedly got in a full week of practice, but we can only assume his absence is related to the elbow injury that held him out for the entire preseason. It further dilutes New Orleans' already wafer-thin front seven. The Saints have just Parys Haralson and Junior Galette at outside linebacker for Week 1.

Saints OLB Martez Wilson (elbow) returned to practice Tuesday.

Saints OLB Martez Wilson will miss 2-4 weeks with an elbow injury.

Wilson suffered the injury in Monday's practice. The 2011 third-round pick is expected to man the Anthony Spencer position in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense as the strong-side edge rusher, but he's now likely going to miss a good chunk of the preseason. UDFAs Eric Martin and Chase Thomas will get even more reps.

Saints 2011 third-round pick Martez Wilson will open camp as the team's starting strong-side outside linebacker.

The position is called "Sam" in Rob Ryan's defense, and was manned by Anthony Spencer in Dallas. The job is essentially Wilson's for the taking after Victor Butler's ACL tear. Junior Galette will play DeMarcus Ware's old position.

Saints 2011 third-round pick Martez Wilson will push Victor Butler to start at strong-side outside linebacker in Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense.

Will Smith and Junior Galette are competing on the weak side. The strong side is less sack- and production-friendly, as it lines up over the tight end and drops into coverage more. Butler is the favorite because of his Dallas ties to Ryan, but Wilson could earn a situational pass-rush role in nickel packages.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune names Martez Wilson and Junior Galette as two defenders likeliest to benefit from the Saints' move to a 3-4.

Wilson, a linebacker at Illinois, flashed with three sacks as a nickel pass rusher in 2012 and at 6-foot-4, 252, is built like a 3-4 outside linebacker. Galette, who goes 6-foot-2, 258, racked up five sacks in a rotational role. It's conceivable that Galette and Wilson could open the 2013 season as New Orleans' bookend outside rushers with Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks on the ends.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is happy with the transition Martez Wilson has made from linebacker to defensive end.

At 250 pounds, Wilson is a little light to defend the run in Spagnuolo's 4-3. But he can rush the passer and should be strong when asked to drop into coverage. Wilson, who isn't even guaranteed regular playing time, certainly doesn't lack for confidence while making the change. "I see myself being a Hall of Famer one day," he said.

Saints second-year LB Martez Wilson is practicing at defensive end at OTAs.

The 2011 third-round pick could be headed for a hybrid role in an effort to get Wilson on the field. He worked as the Saints' second-team right defensive end in Thursday's OTA practice, with Greg Romeus at left end. RE Will Smith and LE Cam Jordan are the starters. Wilson played 130 defensive snaps as a rookie.

Martez Wilson is expected to be ready to compete for the Saints starting strongside linebacker job this season.

The No. 72 pick in last year's draft, Wilson saw limited action in his rookie campaign. Newcomer Chris Chamberlain will work on the weak side and a potential Jonathan Vilma suspension would keep Curtis Lofton in the middle. This leaves Wilson to compete with Will Herring and possibly Scott Shanle for starter's snaps on the strong side. It's the 23 year old pass-rushing specialist's job to lose.