IRVING, Texas -- With Rolando McClain suspended the first 10 games of the regular season and inexperienced depth across the linebacker position, the Dallas Cowboys signed Justin Durant to a one-year deal on Monday.
Durant was a starter for the team in 2013 and '14, serving as a defensive captain in his last season. He signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 but was released in February.
McClain was re-signed to a one-year deal in March that included a $750,000 signing bonus and is worth up to $5 million. If the Cowboys release McClain, which remains possible, they would not be able to recoup any of the signing bonus.
McClain skipped most of the voluntary offseason program, tending to what coach Jason Garrett called family issues. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the team gave McClain some "slack" in working out with the team. He showed up for the mandatory minicamp in June but was held out of drills because he was not in good enough condition.
Durant started 12 games for the Falcons last season and was the second-leading tackler on the team with 82 stops, including three for losses. But he also missed three games due to calf and elbow injuries.
Durant was productive in his time on the field with the Cowboys, but he missed as many games (16) as he played (16) because of injuries. In six games in 2014 he was credited with 59 tackles to go along with four tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, one interception, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery before suffering a torn biceps.
He missed three games last season in Atlanta with a sprained elbow and finished with 82 tackles.
Durant can play all three linebacker spots for the Cowboys. Anthony Hitchens is penciled in as the starter at middle linebacker for McClain's absence. The Cowboys could prefer to keep Sean Lee at weakside linebacker after he led the team in tackles last season despite missing two games.
The only current Cowboys backup linebacker with significant experience is Andrew Gachkar. Kyle Wilber could start at strongside linebacker; Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha saw limited playing time last year as rookies. This year's second-round pick, Jaylon Smith, is expected to miss the season as he recovers from a knee injury.
To make room for Durant on the 90-man roster, defensive tackle Casey Walker was released.
The Cowboys will fly to Oxnard, California, on July 28 and hold their first training camp practice on July 30.