The Cowboys are talking to linebacker Justin Durant about a potential reunion, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Durant could give Dallas some needed depth at linebacker while Rolando McClain is suspended. 
[RELATED: Rolando McClain Suspended 10 Games]
Durant, 31 in September, spent the 2015 season with the Falcons but was released by Atlanta in February. Prior to that, Durant spent two years in Dallas. Durant may not be a superstar, but he does offer some familiarity with Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli‘s playbook and that’s a major plus as the team faces ten games without McClain. Durant also offers versatility having played at different linebacker spots during his time with the Cowboys.
In 2015, McClain graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 linebacker (subscription required). In his suspension-shortened season, McClain recorded 80 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. After being slapped with a 10-game ban, it appears that McClain has entered stage three of the stage three of the league’s substance policy for marijuana. McClain has always been regarded as a highly-talented linebacker but his off-field issues have hampered him throughout his NFL career.
Durant inked a three-year deal with a base value of $10.8MM with Atlanta following the ’15 season. Unfortunately, he did not give the Falcons the kind of production they were expecting. In 13 games (12 starts), Durant tallied 81 tackles and three pass deflections. He has not played a full 16 game season since 2013.
Last week, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ran down potential solutions for Dallas at linebacker, including Durant.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
If the NFL would just catch up to every other major sport and stop punishing players for something that’s safer to use than most prescription pain killers this wouldn’t be an issue.
And if the players wouldn’t smoke an illegal drug there also wouldn’t be an issue.