No-show linebacker Rolando McClain might be left behind for good

Linebacker Rolando McClain did not report to Dallas Cowboys training camp on Friday, and is not expected to join the team anytime soon.

Neither is defensive end Randy Gregory.

Both McClain and Gregory were placed on the reserve/ did not report list, giving the Cowboys two additional roster spots in camp. Each are subject to fines for not reporting, executive vice president Stephen Jones said.

“They’re subject to fines, yes, but we don’t talk about fines,” Jones said. “Part of the nuances.”

The Cowboys knew Gregory would not report to camp. He is subject to a longer suspension after failing another drug test, and is undergoing treatment for his addiction issues.

McClain, though, had been expected to be on the team’s chartered flight Thursday, but did not make the trip. Cowboys brass would not discuss whether McClain has a desire to continue his football career or not during their annual state-of-the-team address.

“Lot of times you’d like to share everything and let you sit inside our meetings,” Jones said. “Let you know all the details. In sensitive situations like this, there’s more to it. Anybody who doesn’t understand what’s going on with these guys, it is a true sickness.

“Our goal in the NFL is to help young men who struggle in these areas. We don’t look at them as bad guys. We look at them as guys who need help. We’ll continue to try to help them as long as we can. And that’s our decision at some point.”

Owner Jerry Jones alluded to several factors in play as to why the team wouldn’t simply part ways with McClain. Part of it is personal reasons and part of it is football related in terms of cap issues.

“Lot of nuances,” Jerry Jones said. “Lot of nuances that we’re really not going to get into, but there are many nuances that, basically, would mitigate that clean a shot right there. Lot of them – cap. I don’t even want to start down them because some of them compromise our team or compromise other aspects of it. But your cap situation has a big issue to do with a lot of decisions.”

McClain proved to be a physical presence in the Cowboys’ defense the past two seasons, but his void has left a void at middle linebacker. Justin Durant, Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson are among the candidates to start at middle linebacker with training camp opening this week.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "No-show linebacker Rolando McClain might be left behind for good."