Cowboys Welcome Back Former Player

The Dallas Cowboys signed linebacker Justin Durant to a one-year deal Monday.

That gives the Cowboys a familiar face to provide some needed depth on defense. Durant played two seasons for the Cowboys before having 82 tackles in 13 games for Atlanta last year. The nine-year NFL veteran started 12 of his 16 games for Dallas in 2013 and 2014, with 73 tackles and an interception.

Cowboys starting linebacker Rolando McClain will be suspended the first 10 games of the season for his second violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy in as many years. Dallas will also open without defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, who each must serve four-game suspensions. All three can participate in training camp, which opens July 30 in Oxnard, California, and in preseason games.

Asked late Monday afternoon about Durant's role, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, "I think that remains to be seen. I think we’ve got discussions to have there. Obviously Durant is very familiar with our system -- he’s done a little bit of Mike and Will. Any time you’ve got a chance to bring a good football player like that on board – especially in the circumstances we have right here – it was nice to be able to get a guy who’s familiar with what we’re doing and can come in here and step right in and I think really help us out – help that young corps out in terms of young guys we have behind him."

To make room for Durant on the roster, the Cowboys waived defensive tackle Casey Walker.