Judge takes La’el Collins case under advisement

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Cowboys tackle La’el Collins could be available to play on Sunday – even if the Cowboys aren’t ready to use him.

Judge Amos L. Mazzant has taken under advisement a request by Collins to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the continued application of his five-game suspension. Collins has already missed three games.

Even if Judge Mazzant ended the suspension, Collins probably wouldn’t play against the Giants on Sunday. Via Clarence E. Hill Jr. from Fort Worth Star-TelegramCowboys coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday that there is no plan in place to use Collins on Sunday, if his remaining suspension is blocked.

The NFL continues to aggressively defend its position that Collins should be suspended for all five full games. Constable Peter Schaffer, who is assisting Collins’ representation in the case, released a statement following the hearing.

“I was embarrassed today to be in the NFL because the league’s outside lawyers have made many unfounded and unnecessary attempts to assassinate Mr. Colllins’ character,” Schaffer said. “He is a member of the league and should be treated with respect. The NFL’s “win at any cost” mentality in the face of its own players on display today was and is shameful. We hold the NFL in the highest regard, but today their lawyer has failed to live up to that standard. “

The challenge to the suspension stems from arguments that drug addiction policy does not allow a suspension for failed tests and that the league twisted to the referee that Collins had previously been suspended four games under the policy . He hadn’t been suspended before.