Dallas Cowboys Orlando Scandrick Suspended For The First Four Games Of Season

Orlando Scandrick was leading the charge for the Dallas Cowboys defense throughout training camp in Oxnard. He's been the vocal leader, one of the best players; he had given this defense someone to rally around, someone who showed the attitude needed to win. Unfortunately, according to Jerry Jones, the Cowboys won't be able to count on that leadership for the first four weeks of the season.

Jones let it be known that Scandrick has been suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He reportedly tested positive for  performance-enhancing drugs. He's already lost his appeal, so the suspension will be happening.

Scandrick's side of the story:

Scandrick told Fox Sports late Monday night that he took something while on vacation in Mexico and it tested positive on the NFL's banned substance list for performance-enhancers.

The Cowboys secondary really needed Scandrick, he was their best and most consistent player last year. He had taken Morris Claiborne's job, but now Claiborne will get a chance to show the Cowboys why they drafted him. All the while Brandon Carr will be playing himself back into form after missing a couple of weeks due to the death of his mother.

Not having Scandrick for four games will force someone to step up as the third corner. Guys like the injured Sterling Moore, second-year man B.W. Webb, rookie Terrance Mitchell and a few others will all get a chance to establish themselves if they can win the job.