Cowboys offensive line takes another hit with La’el Collins suspension

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins has been suspended five games just a day after the team lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The news of Collins suspension paired with Zack Martin contracting COVID-19 is a tough start to the season for a group many expected to be a strength for Dallas. Instead, they’re now incredibly shorthanded up front heading into Week 2.

Per Adam Schefter, Collins has been suspended five games.

Collins was reportedly suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The 28-year-old had just returned to Cowboys practice a few days ago after missing the entire 2020 season. Collins claimed he had plenty “left in the tank” heading into this season, although this will surely serve as a significant setback.

Dallas Cowboys take another loss with La’el Collins suspension

“Took a lot of just taking it one day at a time. Just a lot of focus mentally and just trying to stay positive throughout the whole process. Going from a walker to being on crutches for 18 weeks, that was the hardest thing. That was the hardest thing: not being able to bathe yourself, all of that. It was hard. There was a lot that went into it,” Collins said about his road to recovery.

Now, he’ll have to wait five more weeks to get on the playing field.

The Cowboys fought hard on Thursday night against the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it wasn’t enough as they left too much time for Tom Brady and Co. A Ryan Succop last-second field goal was the deciding score, with Dallas left wondering ‘what if’.

Now, they’ll have the reshuffle the offensive line once again heading into Week 2 against the Chargers.