Reports: Rolando McClain has gained nearly 40 pounds due to codeine addiction
Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain was handed a 10-game suspension in June for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but what he tested positive for was kept under wraps.
On Tuesday, a pair of reports—one from Bleacher Report's Jason Cole and one from the Dallas Morning News—revealed that McClain tested positive for opiates, due to a codeine addiction. According to Cole, McClain has gained “approximately 40 pounds” due to cough syrup.
From Bleacher Report:
The unfortunate story with linebacker Rolando McClain, who is currently on a 10-game suspension from the NFL, is that he’s abusing a codeine-based drug called ‘purple drank.’ What it basically is, is a combination of Sprite and codeine, or cough syrup, in this case, that leaves it with a purple color.
It also is ingested constantly, and victims of using this often gain lots and lots of weight. That’s exactly what is happening in McClain’s case, where he’s gained approximately 40 pounds, according to those two sources, and he is incredibly out of shape at this time.”
The Cowboys have remained quiet on the situation, saying they are still collecting details.
McClain has revived his career with the Cowboys after retiring and missing the 2013 season, playing in 24 games over the last two years.
In 2015, McClain appeared in 11 games, recording 80 tackles, including two sacks, and an interception.
