Dallas Cowboys sign linebacker Justin Durant

Facing issues at linebacker, the Cowboys have brought in help.

The team on Thursday announced the signing of Justin Durant, the 31-year-old, free-agent defender who spent last season in Dallas as a key role player.

With Damien Wilson potentially facing league punishment following his July arrest on two counts of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Dallas was on the prowl for depth.

Second-year linebacker Jaylon Smith is also on the mend from massive knee surgery, while Mark Nzeocha (knee) is a candidate to begin camp on the physically unable to perform list, per ESPN.

Durant is a known quantity in Dallas after playing 13 games for the Cowboys last year following a two-year stint with the club in 2013 and 2014. Additional stops include the Falcons, Lions and Jaguars.

He's no lock to make the roster, but Durant has a shot to stick if injuries -- or a league-mandated ban for Wilson -- become a theme of training camp in Big D.

UPDATE: The team placed Durant on the active/non-football injury list on Saturday. He is eligible to be activated at any point during camp.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.

Related Content