FRISCO, Texas – Linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, the NFL announced in a statement Friday.
McClain recently completed a 10-game suspension this season for violating the league's substance abuse policy but has been away from the team since the latter part of the offseason program.
Asked about McClain's status with the team on Nov. 17 -- the final week of his 10-game suspension -- Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said he was focused on the players who are here.
"We're just going to talk and focus on the guys who are on our team right now," Garrett reiterated Friday when asked by reporters about McClain's indefinite suspension.
When McClain has been eligible to play, he has been a productive member of the defense. A two-year starter at middle linebacker, he missed the first four games of the 2015 season due to NFL suspension but started 11 games and recorded 97 tackles (9 for loss), 10 quarterback pressures, two sacks, and one interception.
The Cowboys re-signed McClain to a one-year deal in March, but in late June the league announced his 10-game suspension. He did not join the team in Oxnard, Calif., for training camp and was placed on Reserve/Did Not Report.
Anthony Hitchens and Justin Durant have split time at middle linebacker this season in McClain's place.
