Lucky

Whitehead

Pulled over in Virginia, Whitehead was also cited for driving without a license and failure to use a seat belt. Whitehead missed 2017 with a broken foot before spending 2018 on the street. Going on 27, this is not going to help Whitehead’s comeback odds.

Whitehead was left in Dallas for a violation of team rules. He isn’t a factor on offense but is the Cowboys’ primary returner. Lance Dunbar should replace Whitehead on special teams.

Whitehead was left in Dallas after missing a team meeting. Lance Dunbar should replace him on kick returns.

Whitehead averaged only 23.2 yards on kickoffs and 7.8 on punts last year. He doesn’t contribute as a receiver, making him an easy cut if rookie Ryan Switzer wins the return job. None of Whitehead’s $615K salary is guaranteed.

This is a bad look for the Cowboys, who instantly cut Whitehead when news of the (false) accusation broke. The warrant for Whitehead’s arrest was “rescinded” when Virginia police discovered they “had the wrong guy.” Whitehead was a largely-ineffective gadget player/special teamer, anyway, but you can be sure the media is going to let the Cowboys have it, particularly in light of their unflinching stance that Ezekiel Elliott is innocent of multiple far-more-sinister alleged crimes.

Charged with petty larceny in Virginia last month, Whitehead then missed a court date. His agent denies Whitehead was even in Virginia when the incident allegedly took place, but the Cowboys are taking a stand. (For once.) Though we’re not sure this one is truly deserved considering all the shenanigans the Dallas organization has allowed over the years. Whitehead is a bottom-roster player.

Whitehead is accused of stealing less than $200 worth of goods from a convenience store. He has another hearing on Aug. 10. It’s yet another off-the-field headache for the Cowboys, but we know how they handle those. Whitehead is unlikely to face a team-imposed suspension. His lawyer will likely somehow clear up the missed court date kerfuffle. A core special teamer and gadget player, Whitehead touched the ball 13 times last season.

The Jets haven’t decided if the ex-Cowboy will undergo surgery. Trying to make the 53-man roster as a return man and gadget player, Whitehead could ultimately be stashed on injured reserve, though the tanking Jets might be willing to carry him as an inactive player during the regular season until he gets healthy.

“We made a decision,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “We’re moving on.” Jones talks like Whitehead did something wrong, which he didn’t. It appears the Cowboys were simply looking for a reason to cut Whitehead. It’s an extremely poor look, one that will become all the more absurd the next time the Cowboys pass on disciplining a player for an off-the-field incident.

The Colts, Chiefs and Saints also had interest in Whitehead. It’s a nice landing spot after Whitehead’s controversial release from Dallas. The Jets don’t have any proven options at kick returner, with Jalin Marshall Whitehead’s only competition. Adding Whitehead is a low-risk veteren flyer. None of his $615,000 salary is guaranteed.