The Dallas Cowboys could be without the two starting defensive ends for the first four games of the season.
Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence could be facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport for failing another drug test.
Lawrence was previously given a four-game fine for substance abuse violation and a four-game suspension is the next step.
While the team has not been officially notified of the possible suspension, all indications are that the Cowboys will be without another starting defensive end to begin the upcoming season.
Sources: #Cowboys & DE DeMarcus Lawrence were notified that Lawrence faces a 4-game suspension for another failed drug test. He's appealing
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2016
Randy Gregory, who fell to the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft after failing a drug test during the combine, was also suspended earlier this off-season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Both Lawrence and Gregory were expected to be starters this season after deciding to move on from the toxic Greg Hardy.
The Cowboys traded away the 47th and 78th overall picks to the Washington Redskins in the 2014 Draft to move up 13 spots to select Lawrence out of Boise State with the 34th pick. In two seasons in Dallas, Lawrence has played in 23 games, compiling 64 tackles and eight sacks.
Lawrence is most widely known for stripping Matthew Stafford on the final drive of the game and sealing a Dallas victory during a 2015 Wild Card game against the Detroit Lions.
After finishing 25th in the league with just 1.9 sacks per game last season, the Cowboys were most likely in the market for a defensive lineman in this year’s upcoming draft. With the news of losing both of their starting defensive ends, the Cowboys might be influenced to select Ohio State’s Joey Bosa with the fourth overall pick.
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