Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has checked into the team’s 2016 minicamp after being absent from OTA’s to remain in his home state of Alabama.
Often controversial linebacker Rolando McClain will keep himself out of the headlines to start Dallas Cowboys minicamp, as the former Alabama star and Oakland Raiders draft bust has reported for duty despite earlier reports indicating that he may skip to stay in his home state.
ESPN’s Cowboys reporter Todd Archer reported that McClain, along with guard Ronald Leary, showed up to report to minicamp and undergo their physicals. McClain prevented himself from earning a fine worth around $76,000 if he had stayed in Alabama. Head coach Jason Garrett was aware that his linebacker was spending most of his offseason tending to family business according to Archer.
Last season, McClain registered 50 solo tackles for the Cowboys, a drop from his outstanding 2014 campaign where he had 65 solo tackles on the year. Still, the 26-year-old McClain is a big part of their linebacker corps whose presence in the offseason program is important, especially after staying in Alabama for OTA’s in May and June.
McClain’s 2015 was a disappointing follow-up to his breakout season with the Cowboys as Dallas failed to build on their previous year’s success and missed the playoffs. Long known for his eccentric behavior and marching to his own beat, McClain’s offseason program absences this far shouldn’t concern Cowboys fans as the veteran inside linebacker should be ready to contribute in what will be his third season with the team come September when the games matter.
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