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Dallas Cowboys: David Irving loses appeal, four-game suspension upheld

By Steven Mullenax

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end David Irving (95) on the sidelines during the game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end David Irving (95) on the sidelines during the game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end David Irving’s four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy has been officially upheld. His appeal, denied.

In late May, it was reported that Dallas Cowboys‘ defensive lineman David Irving was facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. It was also believed that Irving filed an appeal of that suspension.

On Wednesday, the league made Irving’s four-game ban official. And his appeal? Denied, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer.

This means the Cowboys will be without one of their best young defenders for the first four games of the upcoming regular season. In fact, Irving will not be eligible to play in a contest for Dallas until October 8th, a Week Five matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The good news, if there is any in this situation, is the fact Irving will be able to fully participate in training camp and throughout the preseason.

Another positive is the fact the 23-year old will not take up an active roster spot while suspended. This should allow Dallas to essentially carry an extra player on their roster until his return. That’s going to be helpful when the Cowboys have to cut down from 90 players to just 53 prior to the start of the season. Although I’m fairly certain the team would prefer just to have Irving available and making plays on-the-field.

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon obstacle for the Cowboys as of late. Just last season, both defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory faced suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, And both players ended up being non-factors in a 13-3 season.

Last year, the 6-foot-7, 285 pound Irving posted 17 total tackles, five pass defends and 4.0 sacks in 15 games. He started in the Cowboys final three games last season, including the playoff loss to the Packers.

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Many hoped David Irving would emerge as the Dallas Cowboys’ starting left defensive end in 2017. That seems unlikely now, as the third-year defender will be playing catch up for a good portion of the season due to this suspension.

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