Cowboys DT David Irving suspended for violating NFL's substance abuse policy
The NFL has suspended Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The news confirms a report from earlier in the week from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the league was evaluating Irving for a possible suspension, which will be his third in the NFL in three seasons.
Dallas defensive tackle David Irving is under evaluation from the NFL for a potential suspension, league sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Irving was suspended for the start of the past two seasons for a violation of the NFL's drug policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2019
Suspension news follow up Instagram message
On Monday, Irving created a cryptic Instagram post stating that he’s not in the NFL because he’s an Eagle Scout.
“I’m in the NFL because I’m great at what I do,” Irving wrote. “I’m not in the NFL because I’m an Eagle Scout, or the perfect model citizen. I didn’t put on a mask or kiss a— to be where I am. Im [sic] here on natural ability. This is God’s plan. Not mine. Trust me, I’m adjusting to it as well. Once I step on the field and stop performing, THEN we have a problem ... So does anyone have anything to say about my play?”
Irving suspended before for substance abuse
Irving’s previous two suspensions were for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Irving will become a free agent in the coming weeks, and the Cowboys are not expected to compete for the 25-year-old’s services, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Irving played in just two games last season thanks to a combination of the suspension and a high ankle sprain. The Morning News reports that the Cowboys were not satisfied with Irving’s approach to rehab that saw him make sporadic appearances at the team’s headquarters.
Irving has played 37 games over four seasons with the Cowboys.
More Cowboys trouble
The Irving news followed a report that Cowboys linebacker Randy Gregory is facing an indefinite suspension from the league.
Gregory, 26, is facing his third substance abuse suspension since joining the NFL in 2015.
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