IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys will see Mat McBriar punt in 2012, but only twice in the regular season as the two-time Pro Bowler agreed to a deal with Philadelphia.

McBriar worked out for the Eagles on Monday and the Cowboys on Tuesday but was unable to come to terms with Dallas, where he had spent his first eight seasons. The Cowboys had the cap room necessary to keep McBriar, but the Eagles offered a better deal.

McBriar joined the Cowboys’ practice squad in 2003 and was the team’s full-time punter from 2004-11. He is the franchise’s leader in gross (45.3) and net averages (38.1) as well as most punts inside the opponents’ 20 (175).

He averaged 43.8 yards per punt in 14 games in 2011 but was hampered for most of the year with a nerve issue that affected his left foot. He had surgery in February to remove a cyst below his left knee and has been punting for the last six weeks in San Diego. McBriar started punting six weeks ago in San Diego and believed he would be at his best when the season began.

Chris Jones, who averaged 42.6 yards per punt as McBriar’s replacement last season, will go into training camp as the team’s top punter. The Cowboys also have Delbert Alvarado on the roster.