FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are confident that kicker Brandon Aubrey will join the team in San Francisco, despite missing the initial two practices of the week due to jury duty obligations. Coach Mike McCarthy provided an update on Thursday, revealing that Aubrey was scheduled to complete his practice session later that day once court proceedings concluded in advance of their Sunday night matchup against the 49ers.

McCarthy acknowledged the unusual situation, stating, “Just when you think you’ve seen it all at this place, you’ve got something else to do.” The team does not anticipate any complications with Aubrey boarding their charter flight, and McCarthy mentioned plans for the return trip to accommodate any potential extension of Aubrey’s court case into the following week.

Aubrey has emerged as a key player for the Cowboys this season, ranking as their most reliable offensive contributor amid a fluctuating performance from quarterback Dak Prescott and the rest of the squad. He has continued to impress following an NFL record-setting previous season, where he successfully converted the first 35 kicks of his career. This season, Aubrey boasts an impressive record, hitting 17 out of 19 attempts, including a streak of at least one kick from 50 yards or further over the past eight games, setting a new league record.

At 29 years old, Aubrey’s journey to the NFL has been unique. He was actively playing in the USFL during the spring of 2023 when Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel took note of his talent. Before making a name for himself in football, Aubrey showcased his athletic skills as a soccer player at Notre Dame and garnered attention by being drafted into Major League Soccer, though he never saw playtime at the top competitive level in the U.S.