Shaq Evans has made his first headlines as a Dallas Cowboy, but sadly not the right kind. The receiver was hit with a four-game suspension in 2017 for violation of the league’s drug policy.
News broke Friday that Evans, who was signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad prior to their playoff game in January, would be suspended for the first four games of 2017. A series of tweets were posted yesterday from what appears to be Evans’ personal account, although not fully verified by Twitter.
I know there's news out there about me violating the NFL drug policy and people assume I'm being dumb and smoking marijuana and constantly
— Shaq Evans (@shaq_evans1) April 22, 2017
Failing tests. Well that's not the case at all there are rules in the program that are not fair at all and I will leave it at that
— Shaq Evans (@shaq_evans1) April 22, 2017
People that actually know me well and know what I'm about know I wouldn't jeopardize my career over drugs. THATS NOT ME
— Shaq Evans (@shaq_evans1) April 22, 2017
I've passed every test I've been issued but because of extenuating circumstances I've been subjected to what I feel is unjust discipline
— Shaq Evans (@shaq_evans1) April 22, 2017
I will handle this with class however and keep my head high and control what I can control. And that is to move forward and be better
— Shaq Evans (@shaq_evans1) April 22, 2017
While he has yet to appear in a single regular-season game since entering the league in 2014, Evans is still a noteworthy name. He was a fourth-round pick by the New York Jets but missed his rookie season with a shoulder injury. The Jets waived him the following offseason and Evans has bounced around the Jaguars and Patriots practice squads before landing in Dallas.
This suspension could be a major blow to Evans’ ability to compete for the bottom spots on the Cowboys WR depth chart. Brice Butler is back on a one-year deal but is no guarantee to keep his job. Practice squad guys like Evans and Andy Jones were expected to compete.
Thankfully for Evans, the suspension does not stop him from participating in all team activities before the regular season. As long as the Cowboys keep him around after this news, he will still be able to try and earn their continued interest.
