Cowboys defensive end Damontre Moore has earned a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He joins the growing list of players who will not be available when Dallas opens the 2017 regular season.
Moore was very likely to make the team’s 53-man roster, especially with teammate David Irving already missing four games for PED use. He has received lots of praise throughout the offseason, including these first few days of training camp, and was seen as a potential help the Cowboys’ pass rush.
Not only was Moore going to be part of the DE rotation, but Cowboys inside Bryan Broaddus recently speculated that Damontre might be an option at SAM linebacker. Moore was considered a 3-4 outside linebacker prospect when he came out of Texas A&M in 2013. However, the Giants picked him in the third round to play defensive end in their 4-3 scheme.
Along with Irving and Moore’s confirmed suspensions, some sort of ban is likely for current SAM Damien Wilson following his assault arrest earlier this month. The Cowboys also expect cornerback Nolan Carroll to get a two-game ban for a DWI incident in May.
Obviously, another suspension is unwelcome for the Cowboys and their fans with the growing national attention and mainstream narrative of dysfunction and player conduct issues. Dallas was in the news plenty this week for Lucky Whitehead incident, which has been mostly criticized by outsiders but not from those close to the team.
As for Damontre Moore’s absence, it could open the door for a prospect like Lenny Jones or Woody Baron to make the 53-man roster for the two weeks of his suspension. However, it could also prompt Dallas to start looking for some outside help.
This is just a kick in the pants! You want to give a guy a chance for redemption but clearly everything we see and hear is window dressing. He is not any better than he was it appears and for that reason, as good a camp as he is having, he is a liability on this roster! We need guys that are ready to play week in and week out!
It’s since come to light that the Cowboys knew this was coming when they signed him. The incident happened last year while he was with the Seahawks. So, at least it says he hasn’t had a misstep with his opportunity in Dallas.
In that case I’m fine with it. I thought it was new when I first read about it but have seen multiple articles since then that it was ok. But gosh darn it what the heck is wrong with the NFL for being so far behind on stuff!
Unwritten rule at league HQ: All Cowboys DL’s are to be suspended…