The Dallas Cowboys, it seems, decided to make an example out of receiver Lucky Whitehead.
The team released Whitehead just hours after news broke that he a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear in a Virginia court, following a shop lifting arrest June 22.
It was first reported by TMZ, blindsiding the Cowboys and coach Jason Garrett as they began their first practice of training camp on Monday.
Whitehead, 25, was arrested in Prince William County, Virginia, on June 22 for shoplifting/petit larceny under $200.
He was ordered to appear in court July 6, but failed to show, resulting in the warrant for his arrest.
It remains an open and active warrant. The court date has been reset to Aug. 10, per court records.
Whitehead was ushered off the practice field by a member of the public relations staff to avoid the media but did say he "didn't know anything about" the warrant and this was the first he had heard of it.
Whitehead denied that it was him to Cowboys.
His agent Dave Rich told ESPN and NFL Network that it's a case of mistaken identity and Whitehead committed no crime as he was not in Virginia when the incident occurred.
Rich produced a flight ticket that showed Whitehead in Dallas on June 22. His United flight left 7:18 am direct to Washington D.C. that morning and landed at 11:30 a.m. _ that is 10 hours after the alleged crime occurred.
The Cowboys did their own investigation, per a source and came to the conclusion that Whitehead was not telling the complete truth.
Per a source, the perpetrator not only had the same name as Whitehead but shared the same birth date and social security.
That proved to be enough for the Cowboys who had not only grown weary of the litany off the field incidents involving its players this off season but a pattern of bad decisions from Whitehead.
Whitehead had this warrant hanging over his head last week when he made national news after posting on Instragram about his dog being allegedly kidnapped and held for ransom by a Fort Worth rapper.
The dog was soon returned, but Whitehead the Cowboys still question the veracity of the incident.
Last season, Whitehead was suspended for a game when he missed a practice after posting on Snapchat his escapades of the night before.
"Absolutely depending on what the situation is," said Garrett when asked if Whitehead could be cut. "We're going to respond accordingly, do what's in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys. Certainly being smart and being aware both on and off the football field matters. That's certainly part of our evaluation."
It was even more disappointing to the Cowboys that Whitehead didn't alert the team about the arrest when it happened.
It also didn't help that Whitehead's spot as the team's primary kick returner was put in jeopardy when the team drafted Ryan Switzer to replace him as the punt returner.
He is the third Cowboys player to be arrested since the end of last season. Cornerback Nolan Carroll was arrested in Dallas for driving while intoxicated and linebacker Damien Wilson was arrested on two counts of felony aggravated assault.
Whitehead's Cowboys career ends after two seasons. He appeared in 30 games with two starts. He has rushed 20 times for 189 yards and caught nine passes for 64 yards.
