Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins’ five-game suspension earlier this month came after he tried to bribe the league’s drug-test collector, ESPN reported Sunday.
The 28-year-old missed multiple tests, according to the report, and ultimately tried to bribe the test collector to avoid penalty. The NFL originally planned to suspend Collins five games. The NFLPA negotiated a reduction to what would’ve been just two games, but Collins appealed the suspension. The arbitrator, jointly appointed by the NFL and the union, rejected Collins’ appeal and, according to ESPN, made an evidenced-based call to revert the ban back to five games.
Collins, who missed seven drug tests, believes he has a legitimate explanation. He was scheduled for a drug test the same day that Cowboys strength and condition coach Markus Paul died in November, in addition to missing another for his uncle’s funeral, per the report.
ESPN reports that Collins’ lawyer is trying to appeal the arbitrator’s decision, which was announced on Sept. 10. The belief is that the suspension will be upheld. Collins began his suspension last Sunday, sitting out of the Cowboys’ victory over the Charges. He will also miss Monday’s rivalry game against the Eagles.
Both the NFL and NFLPA declined comment when reached by ESPN. If the suspension sticks, Collin will be eligible to return to the field Oct. 18, after the Cowboys face the Patriots in Week 6.
Collins, who has started 62 games since joining Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2015, is expected to forfeit roughly $2 million. The suspension also voids his 2022 injury guarantee worth $6.48 million.