Josh Brent has decided to retire from football, according the Dallas Cowboys.
In a tweet, DallasCowboys.com staff writer Nick Eatman said Brent made the announcement Thursday afternoon, saying "its right thing to do" and that he "needs to focus on his priorities."
Brent's agent and the team confirmed the defensive tackle's retirement with NBC 5 early Thursday afternoon.
Brent is scheduled to head to court this September to face a charge of intoxication manslaughter that stems from a December car crash that killed Cowboys practice squad player and close friend Jerry Brown.
Since the crash, Brent's future with the team has been unclear and, though he's remained on the team's roster, he was not expected to join the team at training camp.
While awaiting trial, Brent has been out on bond and forced to wear an ankle monitor to determine if he drinks alcohol. While he hasn't had anything to drink, drug tests have twice found marijuana in his system.
Should Brent ever return to professional football, the Cowboys would still have rights to the player, the team reported. Meanwhile, his retirement opens up a roster spot just days before the team opens camp Sunday in Oxnard, Calif.