Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving has been suspended indefinitely, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Irving reportedly once again violated the Policy and Program for Substances and Abuse, and thus is ineligible to play in the National Football League until further notice. Irving was scheduled to be a free agent, but Rapoport said that Dallas had no plans to bring him back for the 2019 season.
From the NFL: #Cowboys DT David Irving was suspended indefinitely for violating the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. The team was moving on from him regardless for a variety of issues.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2019
David Irving Suspended Indefinitely
This isn’t Irving’s first encounter with a failed drug policy. Irving failed his first drug test prior to the 2017 season. As is mandated in the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Irving missed the first four games of the 2017 season before returning to the field. Unfortunately, a concussion cut his season short, and Irving appeared in just eight games in 2017.
History repeated itself in the 2018 off-season. On June 15th, 2018, the NFL announced Irving failed his second drug test and would once again miss the first four games of the season. Irving returned to the field in Week Five, but only played in two games before ending his season.
Irving initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Signed by the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2015 NFL Draft, Irving couldn’t make the final roster cuts. However, the Iowa State product earned a spot on Kansas City’s practice squad to start the season.
His time in Kansas City didn’t last long, as the Dallas Cowboys added him to their active roster in late September. Primarily used as a backup, Irving recorded 13 tackles, three quarterback hits, and 0.5 sacks during 12 games with Dallas. On top of that, Irving also blocked a field goal while working on special teams.
So far through his career, Irving has recorded 12.5 sacks, 56 tackles, and 30 quarterback hits. His best season came in 2017 when he recorded seven sacks, 22 tackles and 10 quarterback hits in just eight games played. The defensive tackle has played in 37 games throughout his NFL career, starting 10.
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