David Irving has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2018 season, leaving the Dallas Cowboys with a hole at defensive tackle against a series of opponents that have a history of gashing poor defensive lines. They kick off the season against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, and then they face No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants. Things don't get much easier from there, with matchups against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks followed by Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions looming from there. It is extremely rare that any team can simply absorb the loss of one of their most important players. This schedule doesn't help matters, but at least the Cowboys tried to prepare.

The Cowboys were wise to stock up on defensive line depth this offseason, adding players like Jihad Ward and Kony Ealy, but nobody they brought in can replace Irving. He had seven sacks in his eight games last season and looked to be on track to stardom. That track may have just been derailed, and the reason for that will frustrate Cowboys fans to no end.