Cowboys LB Rolando McClain Tests Positive For Codeine-Containing ‘Purple Drank’

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain recently received a 10-game suspension, not for a failed marijuana test but for an opiate commonly referred to as “purple drank” — a mixture of Sprite, cough syrup and codeine — according to ESPN sources.

Cowboys LB Rolando McClain Tests Positive For Codeine-Containing ‘Purple Drank’

“Even we don’t know all the details,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said when asked about 27-year-old McClain as he walked off the field after Tuesday’s walkthrough. “We just don’t know.”

When asked whether McClain’s career is over, coach Jason Garrett said, “We’re focused on the guys who are here.”

Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reported the story on McClain’s codeine addiction. Technically, the information reported by George shouldn’t be publicly known, but the confidentiality provision of the substance-abuse policy is routinely violated, often by the NFL itself through reports appearing on league-owned media. That’s probably why the Cowboys aren’t commenting much on McClain.

McClain and Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory, who sources said is facing a potentially longer suspension for another violation of the substance-abuse policy, were placed on the reserve/ did not report list at the beginning of training camp. According to the collective bargaining agreement, players are subject to fines of $40,000 each day they are absent.

The Cowboys were aware of Gregory’s absence before camp as he checked into a treatment facility, according to sources. McClain was expected on the team’s flight to California last week and did not show.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said last week that there are “nuances” regarding McClain’s situation, but did not comment further. Should the team release McClain, he would count $750,000 against the salary cap. Since his suspension does not begin until the season starts, he technically has not violated his contract.

Whether McClain, who was eighth overall by the Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Alabama, wishes to continue playing football remains unknown. He has retired twice in his career before joining the Cowboys in 2014, and did not show up for organized team activities earlier this offseason. He reported to mandatory minicamp in June but did not practice because he was not in condition. Some sources claimed he was 30 pounds overweight at the start of the offseason conditioning program and he had not lost weight when he arrived for minicamp.

McClain missed the first four games last season due to a suspension and is in Stage 3 of the substance-abuse program. According to the policy, a player is subject to a suspension of one year if he does not enter a treatment facility at the medical director’s request. It’s not clear whether that request has been made of the linebacker, and efforts to reach McClain’s agent, Pat Dye, have been unsuccessful.

In 2011, McClain was booked on charges of assault, menacing and reckless endangerment.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 14: Rolando McClain #55 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)