Dallas Cowboys suffer a big blow to their offensive line as their starting Right Tackle gets suspended for five weeks. The 28 year old was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Although the Cowboys RT, La’el Collins did not test positive for substance. He declined to be tested which created suspicion. And his suspension stands for five weeks without pay. Collins is to return after the week 6 match and will be seen in the gridiron against the mighty Patriots in the Gillette stadium.
My understanding is La’El Collins was suspended for missing drug tests. Essentially, failure to appear. https://t.co/L4dL8GgRp3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2021
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Big blow for Dallas Cowboys
Collins will begin his suspension from week 2 after he played in the Cowboy’s season-opening 31-29 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During his absence, the Cowboys will suffer a huge blow to their offense.
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As the team has to play without their starting right guard, Zack Martin, who remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. And the wideout Michael Gallup who suffered from a calf injury this Friday is expected to miss three or maybe five weeks of the regular season.
La’el Collins since his signing
The club signed Collins as an undrafted free agent from LSU in 2015. His torn toe ligament compromised his 2016 season after being featured in just three games. Although, the right tackle has been a reliable option for the Cowboys. He made 16 game appearances in 2017 and 2018 for the Cowboys.
La'el Collins suspended for five games by the #NFL.
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 10, 2021
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The team’s reliance on him earned him a $50 million contract extension of five years in 2019. However, the deal suffered a rough start as Collins missed the whole 2020 season due to a hip injury. And now his five week suspension early on in the 2021 season served as another blow to his contract.
The Cowboys turn to the likes of Terence Steele, Connor McGovern and Matt Farniok to fill in the void that the suspension has created. It will be a rough few weeks for the franchise. As they have to deal with the absence of some of their starting players early on in the season.
However, the Cowboys might see Collins return the very next week. If he decides to file an appeal, in which case his punishment will be held off until a final ruling.
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