FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys defense has been dealing with injuries throughout this early part of the 2024 season, and those absences could loom large for this weekend.

However, the Cowboys are hoping to regain some key defensive pieces following their bye week as they gear up for a pivotal Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Two players, in particular, could make a significant impact: DaRon Bland, who was placed on injured reserve before the season with a foot injury, has been designated for return, and star edge rusher Micah Parsons is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in a win over the New York Giants.

On Wednesday here inside The Star, however, both guys are now officially listed as DNPs as they try to work their way back to the field. And they are joined on the DNP list by one other absentee … and with a notable reason.

Standout kicker Brandon Aubrey was not available to work because he was called in for jury duty. How “America’s Team” is that?

Meanwhile, Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism about Parsons’ recovery but emphasized that his status for the Week 8 game against the 49ers is still uncertain.

“He’s doing good. Micah is making progress,” McCarthy said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones echoed this sentiment during his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan but also tempered expectations.

“You can’t tell today,” Jones noted. “We’re not going to be able to tell their availability until right at game time.”

As the Cowboys look to bounce back against a 49ers team missing stars Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey, getting Parsons and Bland back on the field could give Dallas the boost they need to turn the tide in a matchup that has recently favored San Francisco.

But in a close game? Maybe nobody is as important as fresh-off-jury-duty, Brandon Aubrey.

New Details Emerge After Cowboys Kicker Misses Practice

The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 8 of the NFL season with a 3-3 record. So far, it has been a disappointing season for the Cowboys, and things might not get better in Week 8 with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers.

On Wednesday, the Cowboys had another day of practice and had a few players absent, including DaRon Bland, Micah Parsons, and kicker Brandon Aubrey.

However, Aubrey’s absence was a bit unorthodox, and he was listed on the official injury report as “NIR- Other (Jury Duty).”

Yes, Aubrey was absent from practice due to jury duty, which is a bit unusual.

Shortly after the injury report came out, more details were released about Aubrey’s jury duty appearance, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who was listed on the Wednesday practice report as a non-participant because of jury duty, has been selected to be on a 12-person jury for a felony assault case in Tarrant County, a source says,” Harris wrote.

Harris also reported that the case is a “second-degree strangulation charge,” and Aubrey is “expected” to be at court both Thursday and Friday.

The good news for Aubrey and the Cowboys is that the judge is expected to work with the football schedule, meaning Aubrey could be in line to play on Sunday, although the game being in Santa Clara makes travel arrangements a bit more complex.

Aubrey has gone 17-of-19 on field goals this season and a perfect 9-for-9 on extra points, so he has been solid for the Cowboys.

The unique situation with Aubrey will be worth monitoring as it gets closer to the weekend.