Dallas Cowboys

Justin Durant returning to Cowboys team needing depth

Published Jul. 18, 2016 11:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys signed linebacker Justin Durant to a one-year deal Monday, adding a familiar face to provide some needed depth on defense.

Durant played two seasons for the Cowboys before having 82 tackles in 13 games for Atlanta last year.

The nine-year NFL veteran started 12 of his 16 games for Dallas in 2013 and 2014, with 73 tackles and an interception.

Cowboys starting linebacker Rolando McClain will be suspended the first 10 games of the season for his second violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy in as many years. Dallas will also open without defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, who each must serve four-game suspensions.

All three can participate in training camp, which opens July 30 in Oxnard, California, and in preseason games.