Dallas Cowboys: David Irving Suspended to Start Season Again

The Dallas Cowboys announced that defensive lineman David Irving will begin the regular season on the NFL’s suspended list for the second straight year.

Irving will sit out the team’s first four games due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Last season he was suspended the first four games due to violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

This is just another part of the tumultuous offseason Irving has had. In April, he was accused by a former girlfriend of domestic violence but she recanted her story. Police in Frisco, Texas carried out their own investigation and no charges were filed, but the allegation is being looked into by the NFL.

Over the last few months, Irving has gained custody of his daughter as well.

Irving’s attendance during the offseason program of the Cowboys was called sporadic for the captains’ workouts prior to the team’s official program. He attended the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp, which ended this past Thursday, but did not take part in practice. He instead worked on conditioning off to one side of the field.

Irving told reporters if he could have practiced he would have and the real reason he did not was no business of the public.

Prior to the offseason starting, Dallas placed the second-round tender on him as a restricted free agent at $2.91 million.

Because of his suspension, Irving loses approximately $685,000 of his salary. The suspension he had last season cost approximately $150,000 of his salary.

Irving, under the league’s substance abuse policy, is able to practice at training camp as well as play in preseason games. However, when the regular season begins he can continue working out, but he cannot take part in team practices or meetings.

He is eligible to return on October 1 following the Dallas game on September 30 against the Detroit Lions.

Irving was second last season for Dallas in sacks with seven in just eight games. As well as missing four games due to his suspension, Irving sat out the season’s last four games due to a concussion.