Dallas Cowboys' La'el Collins' 5-Game Suspension Reasons Revealed
The day after the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL handed down a five-game suspension to La'el Collins. Considering the timing of the suspension, fans were obviously disappointed. The initial speculation was that it was performance enhancers, rather than recreational drugs. Due to the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, players can't […]
The day after the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFL handed down a five-game suspension to La'el Collins. Considering the timing of the suspension, fans were obviously disappointed. The initial speculation was that it was performance enhancers, rather than recreational drugs.
Due to the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, players can't be suspended for weed. However, it was originally reported that it was not over failed tests, but rather missing them.
The right tackle had been tested 180 times in 18 months, missing 7 of them. Citing what would be valid reasons for missing tests each time. Varying from his Uncle's funeral or the day strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died.
A new report from ESPN's Adam Schefter reveals the reasons were much worse. Not only had Collins missed tests, but had apparently had tried to bribe the testing official.
In the report, the Dallas Cowboys starting tackle and the NFLPA had negotiated down to a 2-game suspension instead. This was until an arbitrator reviewed the case and subsequently turned down suspension reduction.
Not only will the team be without one of their starters for another 4 games, but the charges around this are serious.
Owner Jerry Jones is someone supportive of players with drug issues, but this is a different animal. If it had been a PED-positive test, Collins would've taken the suspension without argument.
Here Collins is missing 5 games in an expanded 17-game season, in the wake of missing all 16 games in 2020 due to injury.
The value of La'el Collins is obvious. When he's on the field, he is one of the games most dominating right tackles. However, he needs to stay of the field to do so, and instead found another way to keep himself off it.
Not only will he lose $2 million from his missed time, but it will void his $6.48 million injury guarantee.
The Cowboys won't release Collins, but this is a situation worth monitoring moving forward. For his future with the team, and in the league.
La'el Collins won't return until after their week 6 game against the New England Patriots, in time for their Bye. All games that having Collins available would be helpful. The team faces edge rushers like Brian Burns, Josh Uche, Chase Winovich and Azeez Ojulari.
The Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Terrance Steele will make his second straight start at right tackle.
