News: BR: Orlando Scandrick Reinstated by NFL: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick has been reinstated by the NFL after the league and the Players Association reached a deal on a new drug policy. The veteran defender was originally slated to miss four games due to a suspension handed down in August.

The NFL announced the new agreement will allow Scandrick to return early:

Discipline of players for certain violations in the 2014 league year will be adjusted to reflect the new policy. Wes Welker of the Denver Broncos, Orlando Scandrick of the Dallas Cowboys and Stedman Bailey of the St. Louis Rams will be eligible to return to their teams this week.
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Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reported the defensive back tested positive for MDMA, which likely had an amphetamine component that triggered the suspension. He was scheduled to miss out on around $1 million in pay as part of the ban.

The report also included a statement from Scandrick, who accepted the punishment and explained the situation that caused it.

I would like to apologize to my children, my family, the Jones family, my coaches, my teammates and my fans. Failing a drug test is far out of my character, and although I never knowingly took a performance-enhancing drug/banned stimulant while on vacation in Mexico, I take full responsibility for what goes in my body and more importantly for the embarrassment of a failed drug test. It's my goal by issuing this statement to clear my name and more importantly to be judged by what happens to me in the future.
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His absence represented a notable setback for the Cowboys' defense. The Boise State product was one of the few bright spots during an often disastrous season on that side of the ball last season. He finished the year with 64 tackles, two interceptions and two sacks.

Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted he was also having a strong training camp when the punishment was announced:

Now the Cowboys will get him back earlier than initially expected.

It should provide an immediate boost to a defense that is thin in terms of depth and doesn't boast many game-changers.

His return should push everybody on the corner depth chart down a peg. He should return to a starting role alongside Brandon Carr with Morris Claiborne moving back into a reserve role, where he'll only feature in certain packages.

Scandrick isn't on the level that his comeback is going to dramatically alter the outlook for the entire defense. There are too many other question marks. That said, he should certainly provide at least a minor boost immediately.

That's good news for a Dallas defense that needs all the help it can get.





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