Tag: La’el Collins

OT La'el Collins: Signed by Buffalo Bills (previous team: Cincinnati Bengals)

Reports: Bills sign veteran OT La’el Collins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills have signed veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins to a one-year contract, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

Collins, 30, did not play in a game last season, spending 20 days on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad in January during their run to the playoffs.

He began his NFL career with the Cowboys, starting 71 of 74 games from 2015-21 but missing all of the 2020 season due to injury. The NFL suspended him for five weeks in September 2021 for violating the substance abuse policy, and Dallas released him in March 2022.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed him that month to a three-year contract. He started all 15 games in 2022, but ACL and MCL tears derailed his season that December. The Bengals released him from the physically unable to perform list in September 2023.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) indicates he is an eligible receiver entering the game in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Report: OT La’el Collins working out with Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins could rejoin the Dallas Cowboys this week, NFL Network reported.

He arrived for a workout on Tuesday and could sign with the practice squad if he passes a physical, per the report.

The 30-year-old free agent has not played since tearing his left ACL in Week 16 of 2022 while playing for Cincinnati.

Collins started 15 games for the Bengals that season after playing in 74 games (71 starts) with Dallas from 2015-21.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) walks for the locker room before halftime in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. The Bengals led 28-17 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer Atlanta Falcons At Cincinnati Bengals Nfl Week 7

Bengals release OT La’el Collins off PUP list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran offensive tackle La’el Collins off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday.

Collins suffered torn ligaments in his left knee late last season in a game against the New England Patriots. He was placed on the PUP list before the start of training camp.

In the meantime, the Bengals moved forward with newly-signed Orlando Brown Jr. to be their starting left tackle while shifting Jonah Williams to right tackle.

Collins, 30, spent just one season in Cincinnati, starting 15 games last year. He started 71 of 74 games played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015-21, missing the 2020 season with multiple injuries suffered in a car accident.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) leaves the field on a cart during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Torn ACL/MCL for Bengals RT La’el Collins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals right tackle La’el Colins will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Sunday.

Collins, 29, was injured late in the first quarter of Saturday’s 22-18 win at New England. He was able to walk off the field but was later carted to the locker room.

He started each of the first 15 games in his first season with the Bengals (11-4), who replaced him with third-year lineman Hakeem Adeniji for the remainder of Saturday’s victory.

Collins signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Cincinnati in March after playing his first six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) and offensive guard Alex Cappa (66) wait their turn for a drill during practice, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bengals Practice May 17 0098

Bengals put Alex Cappa on PUP list, La’el Collins on NFI list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals placed guard Alex Cappa on the active/physically unable to perform list Saturday and tackle La’el Collins on the non-football injury list.

Both players were signed this offseason to help the Bengals’ struggling offensive line protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

Also on Saturday, the Bengals put linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive end Khalid Kareem, running back Samaje Perine and safety Brandon Wilson on the PUP list.

Cappa, 27, signed a four-year, $35 million contract in May.

Cappa, who is nursing an undisclosed injury, was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He started 46 of 52 games in which he played for Tampa Bay.

Collins, who turns 29 on Tuesday, signed a three-year, $21 million contract in March.

He has played guard and tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and appeared in 12 games last season. He missed the 2020 season with a hip injury that required surgery but started all but one game the previous three seasons.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) pass protects against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Dion Jordan (95) in the second quarter in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cowboys OL La’el Collins tried to bribe tester

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins is serving a five-game suspension in part for attempting to bribe one of the league’s testers, ESPN is reporting.

Collins, 28, was suspended on Sept. 10 without pay for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. At the time, NFL Network reported that Collins was suspended for missing drug tests.

According to ESPN’s report, the NFL Players Association actually negotiated Collins’ suspension down to two games, but Collins appealed the suspension and an arbitrator instead ruled to reinstate the five-game penalty.

The ban began with last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys will face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night while Collins misses his second game.

Collins again is appealing the suspension, claiming he had valid reasons for several of the missed tests, per ESPN.

He reportedly missed a November 2020 test when players had been sent home early to mourn the death of strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul.

A second missed test occurred while he was attending an uncle’s funeral, with permission from the team.

He reportedly missed another test last October on a day that he was scheduled to have hip surgery and was flagged for codeine after the fact, despite being prescribed the drug after the surgery.

Unless he wins the appeal, Collins won’t be allowed to return to the active roster until Oct. 18, the day after the Cowboys’ Week 6 game at New England. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 7, so he will not be eligible to play again until the Week 8 contest at Minnesota on Oct. 31.

Collins signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension in September 2019. Undrafted out of LSU in 2015, he has started 62 of his 63 games with the Cowboys. He missed all of last season with the hip injury.

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) celebrates a first quarter touchdown with tackle La'el Collins (71) against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Appeal of suspended Cowboys OL focuses on absences

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Suspended Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins is pointing to excused absences from the team as a reason he missed drug tests in his appeal, ESPN is reporting.

Collins, 28, was suspended without pay last week for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. NFL Network reported that Collins was suspended for missing drug tests.

The five-game ban begins with Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

According to ESPN, his appeal claims that Collins had valid reasons for several of the missed tests.

He reportedly missed a November 2020 test when players had been sent home early to mourn the death of strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul.

A second missed test occurred while he was attending an uncle’s funeral, with permission from the team.

He reportedly missed another test last October on a day that he was scheduled to have hip surgery and was flagged for codeine after the fact, despite being prescribed the drug after the surgery.

The report also says that Collins hasn’t tested positive for marijuana over the previous 18 months.

Collins started at right tackle in the season-opening 31-29 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played 99 percent of the snaps.

After the suspension, his agent issued a strongly worded statement criticizing the NFL’s decision.

“We are extremely disappointed in how the NFL has handled this entire matter from trampling on Mr. Collins’ rights to prematurely releasing the information knowing a timely appeal was filed to intentionally (mislead) the court at the hearing,” agent Peter Schaffer said in a statement. “The extent and effort the NFL went to accomplish its ends is appalling.”

Unless he wins the appeal, Collins won’t be allowed to return to the active roster until Oct. 18, the day after the Cowboys’ Week 6 game at New England. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 7, so he will not be eligible to play again until the Week 8 contest at Minnesota on Oct. 31.

Ty Nsekhe and Terence Steele are the primary backups at left and right tackle, respectively, but Nsekhe has been ruled out with a non-COVID illness.

Collins signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension in September 2019. Undrafted out of LSU in 2015, he has started 62 of his 63 games with the Cowboys. He missed all of last season with a hip injury that required surgery.

–Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys NFL tackle La'el Collins

Cowboys OL La’el Collins suspended five games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL suspended Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman La’el Collins five games without pay Friday for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

NFL Network reported that Collins was suspended for missing drug tests.

Collins, 28, missed all of last season with a hip injury that required surgery. He started at right tackle in Thursday night’s season-opening 31-29 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Collins can return to the active roster on Oct. 18, the day after the Cowboys’ Week 6 game at New England. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 7, so he will not be eligible to play again until the Week 8 contest at Minnesota on Oct. 31.

Ty Nsekhe and Terence Steele are the primary backups at left and right tackle, respectively.

Collins signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension in September 2019. Undrafted out of LSU in 2015, he has started 62 of his 63 games with the Cowboys.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) reacts with offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) during warm up before the start of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys RT La’el Collins sidelined, in doubt for Week 1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Right tackle La’el Collins did not practice Friday and the Cowboys are preparing to go with their backups next Thursday when Dallas visits the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Collins continues to fight a stinger in his neck and shoulder that limits his mobility and range of motion as a blocker.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Collins is “day to day” but the time has arrived for the team to plan for his absence. Accordingly, Ty Nsekhe and Terence Steele are rotating at the position and would be line to start should Collins sit out Week 1.

McCarthy said “we are in a holding pattern” regarding plans for Collins to work out or practice next week.

Left guard Connor Williams remains on the COVID/reserve list, but McCarthy indicated he could return soon.

The last time the Buccaneers’ defense faced a bunch of backup offensive linemen, Tampa’s front seven devoured the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl with three sacks, forced two interceptions and hit quarterback Patrick Mahomes eight times. Kansas City’s potent offense scored nine points and never reached the end zone.

McCarthy said there are no physical limitations on Dak Prescott, who is a “full go” entering Week 1 after spending the majority of training camp on a pitch count to protect his strained right shoulder.

–Field Level Media

Jun 13, 2017; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard La'el Collins (71) with tackle Tyron Smith (77) during minicamp at The Star at Cowboys World Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys tackles Tyron Smith, La’el Collins both ‘full go’

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Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said starting tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins will be “full go” for training camp after injuries nearly wiped out their 2020 seasons.

“They both look in great shape. They both have been here the whole time through phases one, two and three,” McCarthy said after watching the linemen work out on Tuesday. “They’re where they need to be.”

Smith played only two games last fall before undergoing season-ending surgery for a neck injury. Collins missed the entire season following hip surgery.

“There’s a level of caution also with them here this week and the next two weeks,” McCarthy said. “We’ll see them in the full-go manner come training camp. But they both look great.”

Smith, 30, was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All-Pro and a member of the Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

Smith has started all 133 of his games with the Cowboys.

Collins, 27, was undrafted out of LSU in 2015. He started 61 of his 62 games with Dallas from 2015-19.

Without them, the Cowboys went 6-10 last season and their constantly rotating offensive line surrendered 44 sacks.

–Field Level Media