Dallas Cowboys: Who replaces David Irving during suspension?
The Dallas Cowboys had one of their top defensive linemen in David Irving suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2018 season. This is the second straight year he’ll start the season with a suspension.
The Dallas Cowboys will start the 2018 season without the services of David Irving for the second straight season, this year being suspended for a violation for the substance abuse policy. Last year, Irving was suspended for the first four games with a violation of the PED policy.
This suspension for the first four games of the 2018 season not only hurts Irving — who is in a contract year — but the Cowboys’ defensive line as well, because he is a big part of the hoped-for success that is to come for the defensive line this upcoming season.
Jori Epstein of The Dallas Morning News wrote the following on the suspension of Irving on Friday:
"“Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving has been suspended four games for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy … Irving will be eligible to return to the Cowboys active roster on Monday, October 1 following the team’s September 30 game against the Detroit Lions.”"
In processing this suspension for Irving, just how will this affect the Cowboys to start the season? In 2017, Irving played in just eight games, but in the half season played he made eight starts, had 13 tackles, six passes defensed, one forced fumble and most impressively, Irving totaled seven sacks.
The pressure Irving brings from the defensive tackle position for what should be a very solid defensive line will be missed during those first four games because when he was on the field, Irving was a difference maker and a player the opposing offense must hold accountable.
Now with it set that Irving will be suspended for the first four games, the Cowboys are lucky to have a defensive line that does have some depth, though they might not all be household names. Listed at right defensive tackle on the OurLads.com Cowboys depth chart are Jihad Ward, Richard Ash and Lewis Neal. The left defensive tackles listed are Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods, Brian Price and Daniel Ross.
With the current depth of the Cowboys at defensive tackle, losing Irving for the early season no doubt hurts the overall production, but keep an eye on Ward, who is listed behind Irving, as they both have also been listed as defensive ends during their time in the NFL. Last season with the Oakland Raiders, Ward — who the Cowboys traded Ryan Switzer for this offseason — totaled one sack and one tackle in five games (one start). In his rookie season of 2016, Ward played in all 16 games for the Raiders, resulting in 13 starts, 16 tackles and one fumble recovery.
The Cowboys also have Ash, who played in 10 games for the Cowboys (two starts) in 2017. Ash totaled one pass defensed and 12 tackles last season. For his three seasons in the league, Ash has totaled 15 tackles in his tenure with the Cowboys and the Jaguars.
Most likely the scenario for the Cowboys in replacing Irving for the first four games of the season will be Ward and Ash must amp up their game, stay injury-free and play the best football of the career in those games without Irving because the Cowboys are really going to need them to have a strong presence. Ash will be solid at stuffing the rushes of the opponents, and Ward is capable of making plays as well, but he’s not had many reps in his short time in the NFL.
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Irving’s suspension hurts all parties involved, and this isn’t an ideal situation to start the season. The good news is Irving won’t miss the entire season and can go through a regular training camp and preseason like usual.
Missing the first month will be a very tough test for the Cowboys, and we’ll all have to wait and see just exactly how the Cowboys rebound from this situation, but at least they have practice at this situation and can learn from Irving’s suspension resulting in the same situation from last season as well.