Cowboys to sign ex-Alabama star amid defensive injuries

Jul 26, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at training camp press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trevon Diggs won’t be the Dallas Cowboys’ only Alabama alum for much longer.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that the Cowboys plan to sign linebacker Rashaan Evans following a recent workout. Evans, 27, was briefly on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles last month but had otherwise been unsigned to this point of the season.

A two-time national champion and First Team All-American at Alabama, Evans was a first-round selection by the Tennessee Titans (No. 22 overall) in 2018. He posted his best statistical season last year with the Atlanta Falcons, starting all 17 games and recording 159 combined tackles (a team high), four passes defended, 2.0 sacks, and two fumble recoveries.

The Cowboys are reeling on defense right now with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch set to miss extended time after suffering a neck injury on a Week 5 play against the San Francisco 49ers (video here). Dallas is also dealing with injuries elsewhere on their defensive unit with cornerbacks Trevon Diggs (torn ACL) and CJ Goodwin (torn pectoral) both out for the season. With all that in mind, the Cowboys will be hoping that Evans still has plenty left in the tank to contribute.