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The Dallas Cowboys are beefing up by adding a familiar face just before the postseason.
La’el Collins joins the practice squad with the team preparing for a critical encounter in Washington on Sunday against the Commanders.
A win means the Cowboys officially clinch the NFC East crown and get a first-round bye in the playoffs.
That would give Collins enough time to re-acclimate with the Cowboys, though it probably wouldn’t take him too long.
Collins knows Mike McCarthy and the offense well, having played the offensive tackle position for this team from 2015 until his release in March 2022, with McCarthy serving as Cowboys head coach since 2020.
Many thought the 315-pound tackle would be a first-round draft pick in 2015.
That changed however after Louisiana State police questioned him about the shooting death of a pregnant woman who he’d previously been in a relationship with.
While he wasn’t considered a suspect and never arrested or charged, he did not get drafted.
Eventually, Dallas swooped in, signing him to a three-year guaranteed contract worth $1,599,000 with a $21,000 signing bonus.
By 2018, he was a mainstay on the Cowboys’ O-line, starting all 16 games that season at right guard and playing a major role in Dak Prescott throwing for over 4,000 yards and Ezekiel Elliott winning the rushing title that season.
Collins was suspended early into the 2021 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy before his release from Dallas in March 2022.
He suffered through lingering back issues during the 2022 campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals, forcing him to have designated rest days during midweek practices.
How Collins Fits in with the Cowboys
After Tyler Smith tore his plantar fascia in his foot last week against the Detroit Lions, McCarthy may desperately need another lineman.
A standout at LSU, Collins was a Second-team All-American in 2014 who has NFL playoff experience.
His services could be valuable, though it’s been a while since he’s been on an NFL field.
The Bengals cut Collins in September after being on the physically unable-to-perform list in the latter stages of 2022.
Jerry Jones is likely getting a good bargain for Collins whether he plays or not.
Collins is in the second year of a four-year deal with Cincinnati worth $21 million.
One thing Collins did incredibly well in his first stint with the Cowboys was opening up holes for the running game.
The Dallas O-line hasn’t been able to do much of that in 2023, with Tony Pollard averaging just four yards per carry.
Ezekiel Elliott won the rushing title twice, thanks in part to Collins.
Collins brings not only size and a mean streak that this team will need come playoff time but versatility as well, with Collins capable of playing at guard or tackle.
When you get into the grind of playoff football, guys are playing hurt all the time, and assuming Collins can get back into shape quickly, he could be an asset.
He’s also only 30 years old, so you’d think he has a lot left to give.