Ready or not, Rolando McClain will be starting at middle linebacker for the Cowboys this Sunday, writes Schuyler Dixon of The Associated Press. “I expect him to be really a heck of a linebacker for us,” said Rod Marinelli, who replaced Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator. “I think he has great range. He’s got length. He’s smart. He’s a really physical player. So we just have to get him going and see how it works out from there.” Here’s today’s news out of Dallas..
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the team signed Michael Sam because of what he did in St. Louis and because defensive end is a position of need for the Cowboys, tweets Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Many have openly wondered if Jones signed Sam to the practice squad for the attention that he will bring. However, the reigning SEC defensive player of the year did make some noteworthy plays in preseason for the Rams.
- Jones went on to say that he hasn’t heard anything about a potential return for Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick, but he would welcome it (link). Still, Jones says that he’s not counting on it. The NFL and the NFLPA are reportedly close to ratifying a new drug policy that could retroactively affect suspensions for the likes of Scandrick and Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker.
- Meanwhile, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter) hears from the team that the Cowboys believe Scandrick would be ready to go and could play on Sunday if the suspension is lifted.