Rolando McClain's rugged offseason has taken another tough turn.
Coach Jason Garrett announced Wednesday that the Cowboys linebacker will not participate in OTAs this week after undergoing a recent knee scope. The former first-round pick of the Raiders is home in Alabama rehabbing.
"He just had his knee swell up a bit, but we think he's okay," Garrett said.
McClain looked like a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year at midseason, but last year's campaign was marred by a head injury down the stretch. The 25-year-old linebacker also will be fined his first four paychecks to open this season for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse.
Dallas was the only team that made a serious play to sign McClain this offseason, inking him to an affordable one-year, $3 million contract.
In his absence, the Cowboys will shuffle their linebackers during OTAs, but we expect McClain to return in time for training camp. Barring injury, he's locked into the middle linebacker spot with Sean Lee moving to the weakside across from Anthony Hitchens. If Lee can stay healthy, this looms as a much better unit than last year.
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