Brandon Aubrey missed practice Wednesday because he was performing his civic duty.
Yes, the Dallas Cowboys’ rising star kicker had to miss work because of jury duty.
One day after Aubrey appeared on the injury report with this specification — perhaps a first of its kind in the NFL — head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Aubrey’s obligations to the justice system will not keep him from serving justice with his right foot Sunday when the Cowboys face the San Francisco 49ers in a pivotal prime-time game.
“Just when you think you’ve seen it all in this league, you’ve got something else to deal with,” McCarthy said.
While practice isn’t exactly intense for specialists, it’s still worthwhile for all players, including punters and kickers. Aubrey has proven to be a weapon for the Cowboys this season, converting 17 of 19 field goals, including a long of 65 yards. It’s important to keep him sharp, especially with a stretch of key games that begins Sunday in San Francisco, and McCarthy said the Cowboys “have a plan” to get Aubrey ready for Sunday Night Football.
Luckily for Aubrey, court isn’t in session on Sundays, and NFL teams head for the airport shortly after their games end. As McCarthy said, the charter flight should return “in time for him to get back to jury duty, so … “
McCarthy trailing off feels right for this. Here’s to a speedy trial.
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