Dallas Cowboys DE David Irving dealing with possible NFL suspension

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer
Cowboys lineman David Irving sacks Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco last season. (AP)
Cowboys lineman David Irving sacks Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco last season. (AP)

The Dallas Cowboys defense probably didn’t need to take on any more hits, but defensive lineman David Irving is now facing a four-game suspension.

Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan was the first to report that Irving failed a test for banned supplements. The suspension isn’t official; Irving will appeal because he said he accidentally took the supplement.

The story takes a bit of an odd turn: The banned supplement came from a company Irving had a marketing deal with, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

[Fantasy Football is open! Sign up now]

It’s rare to see a suspension overturned because the player claims he accidentally took a supplement. Assuming Irving doesn’t win the appeal and the suspension is made official at some point, it’s a blow to the Cowboys. Irving had some big games last season. He was named NFC defensive player of the week for a great game against the Green Bay Packers. Irving is big (6-foot-7, 284 pounds) and versatile and is a key piece of the Cowboys’ defensive line rotation.

The Cowboys should be fine on offense as they begin defense of their NFC East title. The defense is a bit more of a question, and it won’t help if Irving misses a quarter of the season.

More Cowboys coverage on Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!