The league has suspended Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain for 10 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. That comes after Dallas re-signed McClain to a 1-year, $4 million deal. The most likely path for the defense seems to be moving Anthony Hitchens from the strong side to the middle, which he did previously, with Kyle Wilber or Andrew Gachkar filling in outside. We'll see how the Cowboys adjust and whether McClain has a shot at reclaiming a starting spot when he returns.

Cowboys LB Rolando McClain has agreed to a 1-year, $5 million deal with the team, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. McClain spent most of the past 2 seasons starting for Dallas but has also dealt with injuries and provided inconsistent IDP production. He's a late LB3 or bench/waiver fodder for fantasy football owners.

Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain will miss Saturday night's game against the Jets because of a concussion. That likely means Anthony Hitchens will start for him in the middle and play more snaps. He's not a trustworthy IDP candidate, though.

The Cowboys will have LBs Rolando McClain (hand) and Anthony Hitchens (ankle) for today's game at Tampa Bay. We can't necessarily trust either to play full time, though, which makes both shaky IDP bets. If you're desperate, McClain probably makes the most sense. Sean Lee is out with a concussion, and Andrew Gachkar will join them in the starting lineup.

The league has suspended Cowboys LB Rolando McClain for 4 games for violating the substance-abuse policy. The move doesn't make much of a team-defense ripple for fantasy football drafts, because Dallas isn't a strong option even with all of its starters around. We'll be interested to see, however, if the Cowboys slide Sean Lee into the middle from his new weak-side spot or 2014 rookie Anthony Hitchens in from the strong side. Hitchens would seem to make more sense from here. Dallas played him there 4 times last season and could give the youngster a tryout to see if he fits there long term. Of course, the Cowboys could just slot in backup Jasper Brinkley and leave the outside guys in their spots. McClain didn't look particularly attractive as an IDP option to begin with and should certainly go undrafted in nearly all redraft leagues at this point.

ESPN's Ed Werder reports that the Cowboys have agreed to a new 1-year deal with LB Rolando McClain. They'll reportedly pay him $3 million, with up to $1 million more available via incentives. McClain reportedly chose the offer over 1 from the Patriots. That plus the money indicate McClain will continue to start in Dallas. A MLB ever since he entered the NFL, McClain could push LB Sean Lee to the weak side. Look for McClain to offer only spotty IDP value and Lee to remain the top fantasy football option among Dallas LBs, regardless of where he lines up.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report that Cowboys LB Rolando McClain will face a 4-game fine in the coming season under the league's new substance abuse policy. The good news, of course, is that he won't miss any games just yet. Of course, it's 1 more off-field issue for a free-agent LB who previously retired after nearly landing himself in jail. We'll see if it impacts his marketability.

The Cowboys made LB Rolando McClain active for Sunday's win over the Jaguars despite an MCL sprain that kept him out of practice all week. But the veteran didn't play at all, instead sitting behind rookie Anthony Hitchens. "Oh it's always good when you can get guys rested up going into the bye week," Hitchens told the Dallas Morning News. "It was good for our team and hopefully he'll come back healthy and ready to go." That seems to indicate coaches will re-insert McClain once he's at or close to 100%, and the former Raiders 1st-round pick has performed well. Look for Hitchens to remain on the field at some LB spot, though, after earning the team's best run-D grades from Pro Football Focus each of the past 2 weeks -- once on the weak side and once in the middle.

Cowboys LB Rolando McClain is active for today's matchup with Jacksonville in London. He missed all 3 practice days during the week, though, while dealing with knee and groin trouble. That makes even an active McClain pretty risky for your IDP lineup.

Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain is questionable for Sunday's matchup with Jacksonville after missing all 3 practice days this week with knee and groin trouble. Even if he plays against the Jags, there's too much risk for IDP owners to try this guy.

Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain hurt his right knee late in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. The Dallas Morning News reports, however, that the team doesn't believe it's serious. "It's not showing anything structural at all, and he felt pretty good about it," Jerry Jones said afterward. "Right now I'm not concerned about it." McClain's playing time has evened out lately after some other physical dings earlier this season, and he played more than 90% of the snaps in 2 straight games heading into Week 9. If his knee proves fine, he'll make for a decent starting option against Jacksonville in Week 10 in many IDP leagues.

Despite missing the 1st 2 days of practice this week with his groin injury, Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain will play against the Seahawks. He returned for a limited workout Friday and remains less than 100%. We wouldn't count on him playing his full role and would keep him out of IDP lineups.

Cowboys MLB Rolando McClain is active for tonight's game against the Saints.  He put in a limited practice Friday after missing the 1st 2 days with the groin injury that cost him last week's game.  We'd still be wary of getting McClain back into IDP lineups.  Bruce Carter remains the top Dallas LB option for fantasy owners.  We'll see how many snaps McClain can handle in his return.

As expected, the Cowboys will play without MLB Rolando McClain and OLB Justin Durant today at St. Louis.  Rookie Anthony Hitchens is expected to start in the middle for McClain, but Bruce Carter's the only Dallas LB worth considering for Week 3 in your IDP lineup.  Even he's not a stellar option.

Cowboys OLB Bruce Carter told reporters Monday that he expects to start on the strong side and play the weak side in the nickel sub packages, according to the Dallas Morning News.  He also said Justin Durant will start on the weak side and Rolando McClain in the middle.  None is worth chasing in IDP leagues right now, but Carter's athletic ability and apparent 3-down role give him the most upside.