La'el Collins Reportedly to Sign Cowboys Contract After NFL Free-Agent Visit

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back offensive tackle La'el Collins, who was on the team from 2015-2021.

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported the news.

The 31-year-old Collins was most recently with the Buffalo Bills, who released the former LSU star as part of their final round of roster cuts last August.

Collins initially joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He started 11 of 12 games in his rookie year, suiting up for the team at left guard.

Collins was the team's starting left guard to begin the 2016 season but suffered a torn ligament in his right big toe and played just three games.

Over the next three seasons, Collins became the team's starting right tackle, and he was eventually rewarded with a five-year, $50 million contract extension ($35 million guaranteed) before the 2019 campaign. Unfortunately, an injured hip forced him to miss the 2020 campaign, but he did return for 2021, starting 10 of 12 games. During that season, Collins was suspended five games for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

However, in March 2022, Collins sought a trade. Eventually, the Cowboys released Collins, who then signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Collins served as the Bengals' starting right tackle for 15 games. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in a Week 16 game. The Bengals released him in September 2023.

Collins latched on with the Bills in the spring of 2024, but he did not make the final roster.

However, there's hope he can make it back to the NFL with the Cowboys now. He worked out with the team on Friday, and it went well enough for a contract.

Dallas sorely needed some help on the offensive line, especially with left tackle Tyler Guyton out four-to-six weeks with a bone fracture. Left guard Tyler Smith is also dealing with tendinitis in his left knee, per team owner Jerry Jones to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.