Josh Brent is set to be released from prison in the coming weeks after serving the 180-day sentence handed down after his conviction on intoxication manslaughter charges related to the drunk-driving accident in 2012 that killed his Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown.
Brent retired from the Cowboys last July, although there’s some reason to believe he did that to avoid a suspension from the league. That suspension may still come, but the team still has his rights and executive vice president Stephen Jones said Tuesday that the team won’t rule out Brent’s return.
“The league will have a big say in when he can come back, but we’ll certainly evaluate that situation when it comes,” Jones said, via Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. “I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”
Brent has not played since December 2012 and the Cowboys defense has changed it’s shape since that time. Whether or not Brent fits with a team that needs help on the defensive line is a secondary question to the one of whether the league will allow him to try to provide it.
Per Watkins, both the team and Brent’s agent Peter Schaffer have been in contact with the league, but no decision about further discipline has been made. Brent also was sentenced to 10 years probation when convicted and would face a 10-year prison term if he violates it.