NFL: Dallas Cowboys lose another defender to suspension

Another member of the Cowboys defense will miss four NFL games this year

A trend that appears unending is the number of Dallas Cowboys players on the NFL’s watchlist during the offseason. Following cornerback Nolan Carroll’s DWI arrest in the spring, the league will suspend a second Cowboy defender.

Defensive lineman David Irving will miss the first four games of the 2017 NFL season after failing to comply with the league substance abuse policy.

This suspension stands to put Irving out against division rival New York Giants, the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams. Dallas can expect to have Irving back on the field for week five against Green Bay before the team goes on its bye week.

Since 2015, eight suspensions lasting at least four games have been handed out to members of the Cowboys front seven.

Defensive lineman Randy Gregory is already out for the season, and potentially for good, after failing another drug test.

Carroll is not officially suspended by the league following his arrest, but will likely face some form of punishment from the league office

Still under investigation is running back Ezekiel Elliott after several off the field issues involving women. Adam Schefter reported that the league domestic violence case into the sensational running back is still on-going.

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Thankfully for Dallas Irving wasn’t slated to start this year, and the team used an early draft pick on a defensive end, Taco Charlton.

If Carroll is suspended rookies Jourdan Lewis, Marquez White, and Chidobe Awuzie could start early in the year.