Jerry Jones expressed surprise about ex-Cowboys receiver Sam Hurd’s arrest on major drug charges and interest in how the case would unfold.

“I sure was sad to hear that,” Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM. “That’s not good for obviously him and his [family] but certainly for his extended friends and associates. We’ll see how this unfolds as we get more information on it.

“He was always an exemplary player for us, an exemplary person and citizen. You could just count on him at all times.”

Hurd, who signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency this summer, was arrested at a Chicago area steakhouse Wednesday night and is due to appear in federal court Thursday to face a charge that he did “possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more “ of cocaine. The investigation into Hurd’s attempt to buy large amounts of cocaine and marijuana began in July in north Texas.

Jones was asked whether he had discussed the case with team security and if he was concerned about it having implications on current team members.

“I have no detail at all on his activity and when and where and how,” Jones said. “I just couldn’t answer that. But I’m really satisfied with how the basic method of understanding the example that we want our players to set and appropriate behavior.”