Rashaan Evans, a former linebacker for Alabama, has been waived by the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL organization said on Wednesday.
In order to make room on its active roster for offensive tackle Matt Waletzko, who is making a comeback after missing the first 16 weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, Dallas dismissed Evans. Waletzko was a fifth-round rookie last season and participated in three games.
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Following Evans’ release by Dallas, the Dallas Morning News revealed that the linebacker had been taken into custody on Tuesday by the Frisco (Texas) Police Department on suspicion of possessing marijuana.
When questioned about the deal at his Wednesday press conference, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy hinted that the team might not be done with Evans. McCarthy omitted mentioning Evans’ apprehension.
McCarthy responded, “We’ll respond to that at the end of the week.” “I believe that needs to be addressed at that point. These are difficult roster adjustments. There is a catch-22 situation. We hope that our football team’s health continues to be a strength. However, you start projecting about this time of year, especially with younger guys. This is the reason you have to make difficult choices like this.
Before the waiver deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. CST, any other NFL team may submit a claim for Evans’ contract. Evans may sign with any team, including Dallas, as a free agent provided he clears waivers.
Two days after linebacker Leighton Vander Esch suffered a neck injury in the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on October 10, Evans was added to the practice squad. Following his three games as an elevated practice squad member, Evans became a member of the 53-man active roster on November 18, when Vander Esch was placed on injured reserve.
Evans participated in nine Cowboys games. He played 28 defensive snaps in his third game as a starter. But he has only played 36 defensive snaps in the six games that have passed since. Additionally, Evans played for Dallas on 79 special teams plays.
Evans collected 159 tackles for the Atlanta Falcons last season, which tied for the seventh-most in the NFL, while playing 1,104 defensive snaps. On March 15, the league’s 2023 fiscal year began, making him an unrestricted free agent. He remained unsigned until September 12.
