Cowboys cut LB Rashaan Evans day after drug arrest

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th December, 14:58 2023

Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs the ball pressured by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) in the first half at Highmark Stadium. credits: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys waived linebacker Rashaan Evans on Wednesday, one day after he was arrested for marijuana possession.

In a corresponding move, the Cowboys activated offensive lineman Matt Waletzko from injured reserve.

The Cowboys signed Evans in Week 5 in the aftermath of losing fellow linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to a season-ending neck injury.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy addressed the roster moves but not the arrest on Wednesday. Evans can be signed to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers.

"These are roster moves, and they're tough moves," McCarthy said. "It's a bit of a Catch-22. We're a healthy football team, and we hope that it stays that way. But when you get down to this time of year, you start to project, particularly with young players, this is why you have to make tough decisions like this."

Evans, 28, had nine tackles in nine games (one start) since joining the Cowboys. He also contributed on special teams.

A Frisco, Texas, police official confirmed to The Dallas Morning News and KPRC that Evans was arrested Tuesday for marijuana possession.

Evans, a first-round pick in 2018, has 485 tackles and five sacks in 85 career games (68 starts) for the Tennessee Titans (2018-21), Atlanta Falcons (2022) and Cowboys. He was selected No. 22 overall by the Titans in 2018.

Waletzko, 24, was a fifth-round pick by Dallas in the 2022 draft. He appeared in three games last season.

—Field Level Media

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