Rolando McClain Injury: Updates on Cowboys Star's Concussion and Return

Joe PantornoDec 13, 2015

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain hadn't played since he suffered a concussion against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

Latest on McClain's Playing Status

Sunday, Dec. 27

The Cowboys announced McClain is available to play against the Buffalo Bills.

McClain Continues to Be Hampered by Injuries

On Dec. 13, Arun Srinivasan of TheScore.com said McClain was accidentally kicked by teammate Jeff Heath during the game. Although McClain underwent a brief concussion protocol Sunday, he eventually returned. Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News confirmed the linebacker will "spend the week in the concussion protocol. He had a headache after the game and symptoms."

McClain has struggled to get on the field because of injuries and legal problems. The 26-year-old had offseason surgery on his right knee, which meant he missed all of the team's OTAs but participated during June minicamp. In July, he was suspended for the first four regular-season games after violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Coming back in Week 5, McClain had recorded one sack and 34 total tackles entering Sunday's game.

It's been tough for him to get back to a high level of play, as DallasCowboys.com's Rob Phillips pointed out:

"
McClain admits, though, that he’s still trying to get himself into the rhythm of the season. Makes sense, given that the veteran linebacker missed training camp and preseason following a knee scope, then began the regular season with a four-game NFL suspension, then played one game before the team got a week off.
"

In his four prior years in the NFL, three with the Oakland Raiders and one with the Cowboys, McClain has never participated in a full season, appearing in 15 games twice in 2010 and 2011.

McClain had one of the best seasons of his career in Dallas last season, recording 67 tackles and a sack while anchoring a linebacking group that was without its best man, Sean Lee, who missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL he suffered at OTAs.

It's been difficult to get them on the field together, as Dallas has been dealing with a multitude of injuries all season, destroying its hopes of taking a weak NFC East.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.