Cowboys Cut Defender After Being Called Out by Coach
Zack KelbermanNov 2, 2021 at 9:00pm
Getty Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy
Coincidentally (or not), the
Dallas Cowboys waived Bradlee Anae two days after the second-year defensive end committed a “bad” penalty against the
Minnesota Vikings.
The infraction may have cost Anae his job, the
official team website speculated Tuesday in announcing the roster move.
Anae drew a costly offside penalty in the second quarter of Sunday’s win against Minnesota. With the Vikings facing a 4th-and-5 from their own 30-yard line and punting, Anae jumped early and afforded the Minnesota offense a new opportunity. The Vikings would ultimately move the ball into range for a 45-yard field goal, extending their lead to 10-3.
A fifth-round pick (No. 179 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, Anae was held off the stat sheet and did not record a defensive snap in Sunday’s 20-16 victory over the Vikings. The 23-year-old posted two solo tackles across four appearances this season, working as a deep reserve behind DEs Randy Gregory and Tarell Basham.
He received a public chiding from special teams coordinator John Fassel following the blunder.
“Get the football, and that’s a bad penalty,” Fassel said Monday,
via the Dallas Morning News. “That’s a bad penalty. Fourth-and-five, and, you know, it’s just a bad penalty.”
The Cowboys’ website indicated that Anae could return via the practice squad if he clears waivers on Wednesday.