Recently reinstated defensive lineman David Irving already has a tryout lined up for this weekend with the Raiders as the former Cowboys begins his comeback.
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving announced that he was quitting football in 2019 after receiving an indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. This year, Irving applied for reinstatement, and on Friday, the league granted him the opportunity to return. Since he was subjected to be a free agent before his suspension, Irving can sign with any team he so chooses. One team didn’t take long to give him a tryout.
According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Las Vegas Raiders are bringing in Irving for a tryout.
Raiders have brought in a ton of ex-Cowboys in recent years
When it comes to the Raiders, they’re not shy in bringing in former players from Jerry Jones’ team. This past offseason, the team signed longtime Cowboys tight end Jason Witten and safety Jeff Heath. But Las Vegas does make sense for Irving because he has the chance to reunite with former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who currently serves as the team’s defensive line coach.
If there has been one issue for the Raiders on the defensive side of the ball, it’s their inability to bring down the quarterback. Through the first five weeks of the season, the Raiders have only recorded seven sacks, which is tied for the third-fewest in the league. Adding Irving could provide a spark for Las Vegas at the line of scrimmage.
Irving last played in 2018 for a grand total of two games, where he recorded four total tackles and one sack. In his four years in Dallas, Irving tallied 56 total tackles (17 for loss), 30 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed and five forced fumbles.
We should get a better understanding of how the tryout went in the coming days. If he impresses, then expect the Raiders to announce his signing.