Cowboys were prepared for LB Rolando McClain's suspension
IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones says the club was not caught off guard by linebacker Rolando McClain's four-game suspension due to violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. The league suspended the 26-year-old linebacker out of Alabama on July 2.
"As you all know, we went through the offseason, we were aware there may be something there," Jones said at the opening of the Dallas Cowboys Club at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. "We signed some linebackers in free agency, drafted a linebacker. So, similar, not unlike [Greg] Hardy, know we knew something might happen and we prepared for it."
Dallas signed six-year linebacker Jasper Brinkley and four-year linebacker Andrew Gachkar. They also picked up journeyman Keith Rivers from Buffalo before ultimately agreeing to a one-year deal with McClain on April 1. During the draft, Dallas used a seventh round pick on Mark Nzeocha out of Wyoming. The Cowboys were prepared for all eventualities concerning last year's August addition who filled the void in the middle left by an injured Sean Lee.
Now that Lee has fully recovered from a torn ACL in his left knee and moved to weakside linebacker, the staff was anxious to see both playmaking linebackers on the field together. Now, instead of Sept. 13 against the Giants, they will have to wait until Oct. 11 against the Patriots, assuming Lee is healthy.
"You're obviously disappointed anytime you don't have a player available for the start of the season," said Jones. "But we certainly prepared for that and we look to overcome that."
