Due to a suspension, the Dallas Cowboys will have to do without right tackle La’el Collins for the next two games. In order for him to return early, they are now resorting to drastic measures.

Munich – The Dallas Cowboys have no reason to worry after their successful start to the season. If it weren’t for the annoying story surrounding right tackle La’el Collins, who was suspended by the league for five games after Game 1.

The suspension relates to an incident from the 2020 season in which Dallas’ O-lineman allegedly refused a drug test after a game. As “ESPN” reports, Collins also tried to bribe an independent drug tester. A reduction of the penalty was therefore rejected by the NFL.

Collins invokes CBA contract

As “ESPN” now further cites, Collins has already filed a lawsuit against Roger Goodell and the NFL on Wednesday to have the two remaining games of the suspension lifted early. In doing so, he cites the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the players’ union.

According to the agreement, since 2020 it has no longer been possible to suspend players for missed or positive tests for marijuana use. In addition, NFL officials had indicated that Collins had already been suspended for four games last season for missed tests. Partly because of that, an independent arbitrator ruled that the suspension would remain in place for five games this year.

While Collins was indeed convicted at the time, the NFL opted for a whopping fine instead of a suspension. In fact, here the league’s details don’t quite match the allegations in the player’s lawsuit, which is why Collins’ requests aren’t considered completely futile.

Time as an important factor

Whether the suspension will actually be lifted, however, remains to be seen. The 28-year-old would already be eligible to play for the Cowboys again in two weeks and it is questionable whether the matter would be settled in court by then.

According to the report, the fact that he still wants to go through with the matter also has other reasons: “This case could decide an NFL career or a lifetime ban. The damage to him could not be greater,” it says in the indictment, according to “ESPN.”

For the league, however, the case is clear: “This case has already been deemed meritless by two independent mediators. We will do everything we can to get the charges dismissed as quickly as possible,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the station.

If the penalty remains in place, Collins would not be able to play again until Game 8 against the Minnesota Vikings at the earliest, as the Cowboys enjoy a bye week on Game 7