NFL Ruling on Josh Brent’s Status Expected Soon

For a non-“star” player, Dallas Cowboys DT Josh Brent has received a ton of attention in recent days, and it has all been negative.

Brent was charged with DUI manslaughter in December surrounding a car accident that killed Cowboys’ practice squad player Jerry Brown, and ever since, his status with the team (and the legal system) has been up in the air. However, it appears as if some of that will be cleared up before training camp begins.

ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer is reporting that Brent’s “status on the Cowboys roster” will be determined within the next week. That would non-coincidentally line up with the start of training camp, and allow Dallas to make alternate plans if he is not available. It has been assumed that Dallas is planning on going on without Brent’s services, but he is reportedly available to practice after being released from jail on Sunday following a violation of his pre-trial release.

I can’t imagine that Brent will be on the field when camp opens, but I especially can’t see him playing during week 1 for Dallas. Even if he were to somehow circumvent the legal ramifications, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could still suspend Brent before the season began, and it would be an incredibly negative reaction if Brent were to be available for week 1 following everything that surrounded the death of Jerry Brown.

Stay tuned for the ruling as it is handed down.