BREAKING: Cowboys OT La'el Collins Suspended 5 Games

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Offensive Tackle La’el Collins has been suspended five games by the NFL for violating the Substance Abuse Policy. The Dallas Cowboys’ starting right tackle will miss Weeks 2-6 and, according to reports, has already attempted to appeal and failed.

Collins started last night as the Cowboys lost their season opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His status for the game had been in question just days earlier as he missed practices with a neck stinger, but La’el returned in time to play in Week 1.

Now he will be out until October.

Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

My understanding is La’El Collins was suspended for missing drug tests. Essentially, failure to appear. https://t.co/L4dL8GgRp3

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September 10, 2021

Jori Epstein

@JoriEpstein

Cowboys RT La'el Collins suspended five games, without pay, for violation of league's substance-abuse policy, source confirms to @usatodaysports. Suspension lands after an attempted appeal. An unfortunate turn for tackle who missed all of 2020 due to injury.

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September 10, 2021

This makes veteran Ty Nsekhe the likely starter at right tackle. Signed to be the swing tackle, he’s maintained that status despite being 35 years old and having younger prospects like Brandon Knight and Terence Steele competing for the job.

Guard Zack Martin was out last night due to the COVID-19 protocol but nearly returned to play the Bucs. He should be back for Week 2 and will hopefully keep the right side of the offensive line solvent in Collins’ absence.

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Jess Haynie

Cowboys fan since 1992, blogger since 2011. Bringing you the objectivity of an outside perspective with the passion of a die-hard fan. I love to talk to my readers, so please comment on any article and I'll be sure to respond!

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7 Comments

VAM 4 years ago

Agree with putting Martin outside and keeping McGovern at G. Makes sense. Do not understand these players that do these PEDs. He missed the test(s) for a reason. They know the consequences. Just hurting the team.
Cowboys fan 4 years ago

I thought they were gonna stop suspending players over drug tests.... They are only supposed to be fined!! I think there's something going on with this situation!! Collins just didn't show up for some drug tests, he didn't actually fail any!! I know in most cases a person that don't show up for a drug test will be considered to have failed a drug test, but even if that's what the NFL did with Collins, they still should've given him a fine, not suspend him!! And then the NFL does something to where Collins and his lawyer can't appeal it!! That's not right!!
Cowboys fan 4 years ago

I think it'll be better to put Martin out there at RT and let Connor McGovern stay in at RG!! McGovern played against the bucs and he was one linemen that we didn't hear anything about, and that's a good thing!! We heard Tyron smith's name for holding, we heard Connor Williams name for holding and we seen Tyler Biadasz get beat up the middle, but we didn't have any problems out of Connor McGovern!! So I think the best thing to do is put Martin in at tackle and keep McGovern at guard!! I just don't trust Nsekhe enough to play him, not after seeing him get beat so much in training camp!!
Todd 4 years ago

I hope they move Martin outside to fill Collins spot. If they were happy with what they saw from Connor against Tampa this gives you your best 5 players in the game. I like the thought of Martin going against Bosa this week…and I am guessing Dak does as well.
Don Howard 4 years ago

That's what happens when you sign players with huge character marks and put them in important positions you generally get burned seems like it happens every year
Mr. Cowboys 1966 4 years ago

Next man step up like Conner Wiliams
Todd 4 years ago

Mercy you can almost see the Cowboys season circling the drain already.