DALLAS -- Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent was arrested early Saturday morning for intoxication manslaughter after a one-vehicle accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown.
Brent, a three-year veteran, was booked in the Irving, Texas city jail at 4:14 a.m. Saturday morning.
Brown, 25, was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad earlier this season. He was also Brent's college teammate at Illinois.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry's family and all of those who knew him and loved him."
The Cowboys are flying to Cincinnati for Sunday's game against the Bengals and had no comment on the accident, other than to say Brent did not make the team's charter. The players were told on the plane just before takeoff of what happened after non-team personnel were asked to go outside.
In June 2009, Brent was sentenced to two years probation and 60 days in jail as part of a plea agreement stemming from a drunken driving arrest in Champaign County, Illinois.
Brent had been starting for the Cowboys with nose tackle Jay Ratliff sidelined by a groin injury. The Cowboys promoted nose tackle Robert Callaway off the practice squad Saturday.
Brown was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 23 and waived on Aug. 31. He was then signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1 and elevated to the active roster on Oct. 10.
Brown played in one game against the New York Jets in Week 6 before being waived on Oct. 16 and signed to the practice squad the following day.
"Sad news for the Illini #Family today," Illinois coach Tim Beckman tweeted. "Jerry Brown, former Illini and current NFL player has passed away. Keep him in your prayers."
