OXNARD, Calif. — Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Lucky Whitehead’s identity was falsely used in a shoplifting arrest, police in his home state of Virginia said Tuesday.

Prince William County police said they were confident the man charged in a case involving $40 worth of stolen food and drink from a convenience store in June wasn’t Whitehead. The Cowboys released him Monday after reports he was arrested and subsequently cited for missing a court hearing.

Whitehead’s agent, Dave Rich, contended that his client wasn’t in Virginia at the time of the reported arrest. Police said they are seeking the person who used the identity of Whitehead, whose given name is Rodney Darnell Whitehead Jr.

Police said the person arrested June 22 didn’t have an ID but provided a name, date of birth and social security number matching Whitehead’s given name. Officers checked a photo in Virginia’s database of driver’s licenses.

• A jury acquitted Dallas rookie cornerback Jourdan Lewis of domestic assault in a case involving his girlfriend at the University of Michigan.

PATRIOTS: Receiver Andrew Hawkins, who signed with New England as a free agent in May, said he’s retiring from the NFL and donating his brain to research.

Hawkins, a six-year NFL veteran, said in a video on uninterrupted.com that his body wasn’t responding as he prepared for training camp.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville made Brandon Linder the NFL’s highest-paid center.

Linder signed a five-year contract extension worth a little more than $50 million. The deal came on the eve of the team reporting for camp.

SAINTS: New Orleans placed injury-plagued linebacker Dannell Ellerbe on injured reserve.

COLTS: Safety Malik Hooker, the team’s top draft pick, will start camp on the physically unable to perform list.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Koa Misi was placed on injured reserve after failing to receive medical clearance after a neck injury that could be career ending.

LIONS: Detroit put punter Sam Martin on the active/non-football injury list after he hurt his ankle earlier this month.

BENGALS: The team owner, Mike Brown, defended his decision to keep cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones despite another arrest, saying he’s been “punished enough” for his latest troubles.