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Dallas Cowboys: David Irving’s camp absence extremely disappointing

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: David Irving #95 and Maliek Collins #96 of the Dallas Cowboys sack Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: David Irving #95 and Maliek Collins #96 of the Dallas Cowboys sack Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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It’s been a turbulent offseason for the Dallas Cowboys’ David Irving. Now the talented young defender will not attend the start of training camp in Oxnard.

7.0 sacks in eight games. What amazing production. Unfortunately, it appears to be a case of déjà vu when it comes the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving. Irving posted those impressive numbers after being levied with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy and suffering a season-ending concussion last season.

Irving’s turbulent offseason included missing several practice sessions due to being out of shape and off-the-field issues involving the custody of his daughter. That was on the heels of an allegation of domestic violence made by an ex-girlfriend, which she later recanted.

Last month, the league suspended Irving for another four-games to start the 2018 regular season. This time for violating their substance abuse policy.

Now, the Star-Telegram’s Clarence E. Hill Jr. has reported that Irving will not report at the start of training camp in Oxnard, California this week due to his ongoing personal issues. According to Hill, no timetable has been set for his return and the 24-year old defensive tackle could end up missing camp entirely.

Once again, Irving is set to start the new season in Week Five. This time, it’s an early October matchup against the Houston Texans. Last year, Irving’s debut was against the Green Bay Packers. He posted five combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and a pass defend in his return. Irving would go on to record 6.0 sacks in his first four games of 2017.

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Arriving at OTA’s out of shape, failing drug tests, dealing with off-the-field drama, and now missing at least the start of training camp is all extremely disappointing for a player many Dallas Cowboys fans were hoping would solidify the interior of their defensive line. Instead, Irving’s offseason issues will likely scare the team away from signing him to any sort of longterm extension next year.

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