IRVING, Texas – Already facing an uphill climb to make the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster, offensive lineman R.J. Dill has been suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Dill is competing for one of the Cowboys’ backup spots and has played tackle and guard. He joined the Cowboys on Jan. 15 after spending time with the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. Dill spent the first three years of his collegiate career at Maryland before transferring to Rutgers for his senior season and started 13 games.
Dill remains eligible to play in the Cowboys’ final two preseason games. He would be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 5. If he doesn’t make the Cowboys then the suspension would carry over to his new team.
Dill said he began testosterone replacement therapy while in doctor’s care in August 2014 when he thought his career was over. He signed with the Cowboys on Jan. 15, 2015, and was told by his doctor the testosterone would be out of his system roughly eight weeks after the treatment. He said he failed the test six months after receiving his first treatment.
Dill released a lengthy statement through the NFLPA regarding the suspension. You can read it here.
