The Cowboys are going to be without two of their veteran linebackers to start training camp and only one of them will be coming back.
The team placed Keith Rivers on the reserve/retired list Thursday after Rivers decided that he didn’t want to continue his NFL career. The team signed Rivers as a free agent during the offseason, but they’ll need to look elsewhere for help at the position. Rivers was the ninth overall pick of the 2008 draft and played for the Bengals, Giants and Bills before his short stay in Dallas.
One place they eventually hope to find it is with Rolando McClain, who has been placed on the physically unable to perform list after having offseason knee surgery. McClain is eligible to be activated at any time, but will be serving a four-game suspension to open the season due to a violation of the substance abuse policy.
Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens, Jasper Brinkley, Kyle Wilber, Andrew Gachkar and rookie Damien Wilson are the healthy linebackers for the Cowboys right now.
Running back Darren McFadden is also on the PUP list after being bothered by a hamstring injury this spring. He’s not expected to spend extend time on the list, but McFadden’s injury history isn’t too encouraging. Offensive lineman Chaz Green and linebacker Mark Nzeocha are also on the PUP list to start camp.