FRISCO — Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey could miss a few days of practice after being selected for a jury trial, two people with knowledge of his status told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.
Aubrey, who was listed on Wednesday’s injury report as missing practice for jury duty, isn’t expected to miss the Cowboys’ Sunday night game against the 49ers. Aubrey kicks twice every week at practice and will make up his work after leaving the jury trial late in the day.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Aubrey was selected to a 12-person jury for a felony assault, second-degree strangulation case in Tarrant County. Juror information is not typically made public, but the Star-Telegram cited eyewitness accounts of Aubrey being at a downtown Fort Worth courthouse.
NFL teams are not given roster exemptions when players are selected for jury duty. The Cowboys could bring in a kicker for days Aubrey misses practice or use punter Bryan Anger to work on kickoffs. The team can also use a JUGS machine to simulate kickoffs in practice.
Professional athletes have been called for jury duty before.
In 2018, then-Utah Jazz forward Donovan Mitchell was selected for jury duty in Salt Lake City but was excused. LeBron James, while with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013, was also called but didn’t get selected. In 2012, Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was summoned to jury duty but didn’t get selected. In 2009, Kobe Bryant was picked for jury duty.
Aubrey has made the second-most field goals from 50-plus yards this season with eight, and has missed only two field goal attempts in total. This season, he broke the Cowboys’ record for longest field goal with a 65-yarder against the Baltimore Ravens.
Staff writer Sasha Richie contributed to this report.
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