IRVING, Texas (AP) – The Cowboys are bringing back linebacker Rolando McClain after the former top 10 pick revived his career with a solid season in Dallas.
The team said on its website Wednesday that McClain had re-signed. The one-year deal is worth $3 million.
McClain had trouble staying on the field last year because of various injuries but still finished second on the team in tackles with 108.
The 25-year-old was drafted eighth overall by Oakland in 2010, but the Raiders dumped him after three disappointing seasons. He ended up in Baltimore, where he retired and twice walked away from the game while skipping the 2013 season.
The Cowboys traded for him last summer after losing Sean Lee to a season-ending knee injury.
Now that McClain and Lee will be on the field together, Lee gets to move to his more natural spot on the weak side. Lee was set to start in the middle when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first workout last offseason.
The return of McClain comes two weeks after the Cowboys added free agent defensive end Greg Hardy, who could be an elite pass rusher but faces a possible suspension over a conviction that was later dismissed in a domestic violence case in North Carolina.
With McClain and Lee returning and Anthony Hitchens coming off a strong rookie season, Dallas looks to be in good shape at linebacker despite the loss of free agents Bruce Carter (Tampa Bay) and Justin Durant (Atlanta).