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Former Alabama LB Rolando McClain reinstated to NFL, starts another comeback
By Jake Rill
Published:
Rolando McClain’s NFL comeback is officially underway.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the former Alabama linebacker has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL after missing the last three seasons. McClain, who last played in 2015, was suspended indefinitely in 2016 after failing multiple drug tests.
McClain played for the Oakland Raiders from 2010-12 after they selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, but he retired and sat out that season. He then returned to play for the Dallas Cowboys from 2014-15.
Having just turned 30 last month, McClain has expressed that he believes he can still compete in the NFL, especially after undergoing a hip surgery in 2016.
“Every time I got in my linebacker position, it was bone on bone grind,” McClain told AL.com’s Matt Zenitz last month. “Not only do I feel good, I’m recovered and I’m rested. I feel better now because I know I’ll be playing with two legs.”
Because McClain last played for the Cowboys, they still own his NFL rights. So Dallas will have to decide whether it wants to take another chance on the former Crimson Tide linebacker.
McClain will also still have to comply with the requirements and mandates of the substance-abuse policy, per Pro Football Talk.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
