IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain recently had surgery on his right knee and could be held out of work until training camp begins in late July in Oxnard, California.
Coach Jason Garrett said McClain had the procedure within the last couple of weeks and is remaining in Alabama for his rehab, which means he is missing the first week of organized team activities. The Cowboys have their OTAs through June 10 and the mandatory minicamp runs from June 16-18.
McClain was bothered for parts of last season with a sore knee. The hope was rest would clear up the issue, but he decided to have arthroscopic surgery in an effort to be at 100 percent when the season begins.
Despite playing in only 12 games last season, McClain was credited by the coaches with 108 tackles and had one sack, nine tackles for loss, five quarterback pressures, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble.
The Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason that included a $500,000 signing bonus and $93,750 roster bonuses for each game he is on the 46-man roster.
Linebacker Sean Lee is also being slowly worked back into the mix as he returns from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that kept him on the sideline last season. Lee is going through walkthrough and individual drills but he is not taking part in team drills.
"We're keeping him as limited in practice just because we want to be slow with him; a veteran player, knows what we want," Garrett said. "We're trying to be deliberate with him as he comes back. I think he's handled all the work we've asked him to really, really well."
Cornerback Morris Claiborne is also going through walkthrough and individual drills as he comes back from a torn patella tendon suffered in Week 4 last season. The hope remains he will be able to fully participate in practice when training camp begins.
"He's done an excellent job in his rehab, done a lot of work on the field," Garrett said. "He's moving around better. He's getting stronger physically up top but also in hi slower body and I think he's responded well to that."