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.
