Jerry Jones doesn’t expect David Irving to report to Cowboys training camp in Oxnard

Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving list of issues continues to grow. This offseason has been anything but sunshine and rainbows for Irving, and the news that broke earlier this week cast yet more clouds over Irving’s future. Irving is reportedly in a rehab facility in California, it is yet to be confirmed if it is a mental health rehab, or a rehab facility for substance abuse. While this news certainly raised a few eyebrows, what Jerry Jones said in the kickoff press conference today raised many more.

Jerry Jones was asked to touch on David Irving’s issues, and his future with the Dallas Cowboys. Jones talked about the things Irving was going through, and how everyone hopes he can overcome the mental health, and other issues he’s had over the last few seasons. The surprising thing that he said is that he didn’t expect to see David Irving at camp at all while in Oxnard, and also didn’t know about seeing him when the team gets back to DFW in three weeks. This is something Cowboys Nation did not want to hear about a guy that plays such a big role in the Cowboys defense.

The team took a gamble giving Irving the second-round tender this past offseason due to the off-the-field issues Irving has had since entering the league. And we are now beginning to see why the Cowboys held off on a long-term contract. The talent is obviously there for the 6-foot-7, 300-lb defensive lineman. Since joining the Cowboys in 2015, Irving has recorded 11.5 sacks in just 35 games. The Cowboys desperately need David Irving to be on the field and affecting the quarterback, but his suspension to start the season, and the fact he likely won’t take part in any of training camp is a serious concern for the Dallas Cowboys.