Given how tight the playoff races can be, having those two miss at least four conference games – and two division games – could play a pivotal part in the Cowboys’ postseason chances. “While I won’t be there at the start of the regular season, I will do whatever I can to support my teammates until I’m able to return to the field”. McClain spent most of the offseason in Alabama rehabbing his knee, skipping the voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) before reporting for minicamp. Hardy is waiting to see if his suspension will be reduced on appeal.
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“I apologize to my family, the Cowboys organization, my teammates and Cowboys fans for my mistake“, McClain said.
Defensive end Greg Hardy will sit out the first 10 games for his role in a domestic violence case, but he is appealing the suspension.
With him now missing a quarter of the season, the Cowboys have to ask themselves if he is worth the trouble. McClain turns 26 in July. “I won’t break the rules of my profession in the future and I regret my error”.
Here’s three thing to know about McClain’s suspension.
Gates’ suspension is over the league’s ban on performance-enhancing drugs, while Richardson and McClain will be sidelined under the substance abuse policy. McClain seemed to finally find his footing in Dallas, registering 81 combined tackles, 1 sack and 2 interceptions (a career high) in only 13 games, and appeared poised for the long-awaited breakout in 2016. The Redskins, on the other hand, don’t get either advantage, and the Cowboys will miss out on Richardson’s suspension and also have to deal with the consequences of McClain’s decision, too. He had his most productive season a year ago and was arguably the Cowboys best player on defense when he was on the field. He was released in 2013 and picked up by Baltimore, which traded him to the Cowboys for a late-round draft pick just before training camp last summer. But the contract is heavily incentive based, with a base salary of only $750,000.
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McClain’s absence leaves Dallas likely relying on second-year linebacker Anthony Hitchens to take over in the middle.
