FRISCO -- A devastating series of events was set into motion last week that delayed David Irving's return and complicates his ability to contribute to the Cowboys going forward.
The custody battle over Irving's daughter, Zoe, is at the center of the turmoil. The 5-year-old was removed from the player's care Friday during a confusing and contentious scene at the girl's kindergarten and placed with her mother, Angela Sanchez. A judge is scheduled to hear the custody case in a Collin County court at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
One hour later that same day, Irving faces another hearing in Collin County court regarding the recent eviction from his residence.
The dysfunctional road Irving and his former girlfriend find themselves traveling doesn't stop there. Sanchez had Irving served with a temporary restraining order to start the week on Oct. 1. His response to the female processor upon receiving the papers has led the Dallas Police Department to open an investigation into whether the 6-7, 290-pound defensive tackle should be charged with "offensive touching," a Class C misdemeanor.
Three days later, there was a dispute over the ownership of a Dodge Charger that Sanchez was driving. The episode at the Plano ISD kindergarten took place the next day.
All of this explains why Irving, after returning to practice last Wednesday for the first time in nearly 11 months, abruptly missed the next two days. It explains why he didn't make the trip to Houston on Saturday, even though owner Jerry Jones declared that Irving would play against the Texans, and why he wasn't at The Star this Tuesday or Wednesday to practice with his teammates.