Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has yet to report to training camp, and there are real questions as to whether or not he will ever play in the NFL again. Sources confirmed that McClain’s recent 10-game suspension is not for a failed marijuana test but for an opiate commonly referred to as “purple drank.” I’m sure you’ve heard of it from several rappers ahem “Dirty Sprite”, a mixture of Sprite, cough syrup and codeine. McClain is reportedly addicted to codeine.
“Even we don’t know all the details,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said when asked about McClain as he walked off the field after Tuesday’s walkthrough. “We just don’t know.”
When asked whether McClain’s career is over, coach Jason Garrett said, “We’re focused on the guys who are here.”
McClain was placed on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp. Per the collective bargaining agreement, he is subject to fines of $40,000 each day he’s absent.
It isn’t known whether McClain wants to continue playing football; he has retired twice in his career before joining the Cowboys in 2014. He missed the first four games last season because of a suspension and is in Stage 3 of the substance-abuse program. According to the policy, a player is subject to a suspension of one year if he does not enter a treatment facility at the medical director’s request.
McClain did not show up for organized team activities earlier this offseason but he did report to mandatory minicamp in June, however he did not practice because he wasn’t in condition and was reportedly overweight.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said last week that there are “nuances” involving McClain’s situation but would not elaborate. If the Cowboys release McClain, he would count $750,000 against the salary cap. Because the suspension does not start until the season starts, he technically has not violated his contract.
source: ESPN
