Linebacker Rolando McClain visited the Patriots and reportedly turned down their contract offer before joining the Cowboys this past spring as a free agent.
Now, he'll make his Cowboys regular season debut against them in Week 5 after the NFL has announced that McClain was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
McClain will miss the first four regular-season games (vs. the Giants, Eagles, Falcons and Saints) before returning Oct. 11 when the Cowboys host the Patriots.
In fact, in his statement apologizing for the suspension, McLain mentions the Patriots:
“I apologize to my family, the Cowboys organization, my teammates and Cowboys fans for my mistake,” McClain said. “I will not break the rules of my profession in the future, and I regret my error. I look forward to returning to the field on week 5, when I hope to help my team beat the Patriots.”