HEADLINE

Raiders sign DE Irving to practice squad

Field Level Media

October 20, 2020 at 11:01 pm.

Recently reinstated defensive end David Irving was signed to the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday.

On Friday, Irving was removed from an indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy for a second time. He also has violated the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy on one occasion.

Irving was suspended indefinitely in March 2019 for a second violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy and a third overall drug violation.

Irving played for the Dallas Cowboys from 2015-18 prior to the latest suspension. Joining the Raiders reunites with him defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who was Irving’s position coach with the Cowboys.

The 27-year-old Iowa State product last played in the NFL in 2018, when he had four tackles and one sack in two games with the Cowboys.

Overall, he had 56 tackles, 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in 37 games (10 starts) with the Cowboys from 2015-18. His best showing came in 2017, when he had seven sacks in eight games.

Irving is currently going through the COVID-19 protocols and is on track to being eligible to enter the Raiders’ team facility on Thursday. Las Vegas has a bye this weekend.

After the March 2019 suspension was announced, Irving said he was quitting football.

Irving missed the first four games of both the 2017 and 2018 seasons due to suspensions. The performance-enhancing-drug violation led to the 2017 suspension and the first substance-abuse violation was the reason for the 2018 discipline.

Irving also was investigated in a domestic-violence incident in 2018 before police in Frisco, Texas, closed the case without filing charges. The claims were made by an ex-girlfriend, who later recanted her story.

The Raiders also activated backup quarterback Marcus Mariota (shoulder, ankle) off injured reserve.