Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys' Rolando McClain reportedly tested positive for 'purple drank'

Published Aug. 2, 2016 5:47 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain will serve a 10-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but it appears the violation has nothing to do with marijuana. According to multiple reports, McClain tested positive for "purple drank," a concoction made up of Sprite, cough syrup and codeine.

"Even we don't know all the details," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Tuesday, via the Dallas Morning News. "We just don't know."

The Cowboys expected McClain, who did not attend OTAs earlier this offseason, on the team flight to California for training camp, but he did not show, according to ESPN. The 27-year-old linebacker was placed on the reserve/did not report list to open camp.

McClain missed the first four games of last season after previous failed drug tests. McClain, who retired twice before joining Dallas in 2014, reported to minicamp 30 pounds overweight in June.

The former first-round pick by the Raiders in 2010 played in 11 games last season with the Cowboys, finishing with 50 tackles and two sacks. McClain isn't the only defensive player the Cowboys will be missing due to a failed drug test. Defensive end Randy Gregory was suspended four games for also violating the league's substance abuse policy.

"The No. 1 thing is to get to where he's a good person off the field and have a productive life in terms of off the field," Jones said Monday. "Ultimately that leads to him being a better player on the field. When he has his business in order, he can be a difference-maker. You tend to tolerate more very skilled and productive players on the field when their business is in order."

share

Get more from Dallas Cowboys Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Dallas Cowboys

National Football League