Report: Cowboys RT La'el Collins suspended 5 games for substance abuse
The Dallas Cowboys offense lost another major contributor.
Starting right tackle La'el Collins has been suspended five games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Collins was suspended five games for violating the NFL's policy and program on substances of abuse. https://t.co/alFOYoWVrZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2021
Collins' agent Peter Schaffer disputed the reporting that his client's appeal process is done, however. In a statement to Pro Football Talk, Schaffer criticized the NFL's handling of the case and alleged the league had violated Collins' rights:
"We are extremely disappointed in how the NFL has handled this entire matter from trampling on Mr. Collins rights to prematurely releasing the information knowing a timely appeal was filed to intentionally misleading the court at the hearing,” Schaffer said in a statement. “The extent and effort the NFL went to to accomplish its ends is appalling.”
Collins is in the third year of a five-year, $50 million contract he signed in 2019 and has been a major contributor for the Cowboys' offensive line, though he missed all of last season due to a hip injury that required surgery.
The news comes hours after it was revealed the Cowboys lost wide receiver Michael Gallup for three to five weeks due to a calf strain. The team was also without All-Pro right guard Zack Martin for Thursday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 31-29 loss, due to his placement on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list.
