Cowboys keep exclusive rights free agent DB Alan Ball after release of Ken Hamlin

Cowboys keep DB Alan Ball after Ken Hamlin release

IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have signed defensive back Alan Ball, whose playing time figures to increase after the release of safety Ken Hamlin.

Terms were not released Wednesday. Ball has played in 28 games, including three starts, over three seasons. He is listed as the starter at free safety.

A seventh-round pick out of Illinois in 2007, Ball has 26 tackles and five pass breakups and has been a key special teams player.

Hamlin was released this month after his numbers dropped off from career highs of 102 tackles and five interceptions in 2007, the first of his three seasons in Dallas.