Cowboys insider: David Irving likely done in Dallas

Will the Dallas Cowboys continue to have patience when it comes defensive tackle David Irving? According to one insider, that now seems unlikely.

When the Dallas Cowboys signed defensive tackle David Irving off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad back in late September of 2015, it wasn’t to much acclaim. Irving went undrafted out of Iowa State earlier that year after being dismissed from that program due to off-the-field issues including multiple arrests.

But the 6-foot-7, 290 pounder displayed surprising agility and quickness off the line. And those physical talents emerged against the Seattle Seahawks in his rookie season when Irving blocked a fourth quarter field goal attempt in a narrow 13-12 loss.

The following year, Irving earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week after posting three forced fumbles, four tackles and a sack in a mere 19 snaps against the Green Bay Packers.

Entering his third season, Irving figured to make the jump to starter. But a four game suspension for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy delayed his debut. But in his first game back, Irving posted an impressive five tackle, 2.0 sack performance against those same Packers.

Irving would play eight games in 2017 as a concussion would end his season prematurely. But the talented defender would post 7.0 sacks and appeared to be on the brink of real stardom.

Yet another four game suspension, this time for substance abuse, plus off-the-field issues that forced him to miss training camp and a high-ankle sprain limited the 25-year old to only two game appearances in 2018.

Now it seems like the four-year defensive tackle might have played his final game for Dallas. Here’s how Dallas Morning News beat writer Jon Machota responded to the question as to whether Irving had used up all his life lines with the Cowboys during a recent live chat according to theticket.com.

"“With the Cowboys? I’d say yes. I don’t see [Irving] returning for another season in Dallas. Now, for another team? Anything is possible. When the guy is on the field, he produces. That’s why the Cowboys kept him off IR last season. You’re talking about a sack-per-game type talent. And he’s only 25. But I don’t see his NFL career continuing with the Cowboys.”"

Similar to the case of pass rusher Randy Gregory, the Dallas Cowboys have shown a tendency to be incredibly patient when it comes to their players and their off-the-field issues. The fact Gregory was able to comeback from his drug-related issues bodes well for David Irving. If the young defender shows an early commitment to return to the field in 2019, it isn’t hard to imagine the Cowboys offering the unrestricted free agent a low-risk, one-year prove-it deal.