OXNARD, Calif. _ While the year-long investigation of running back Ezekiel Elliott for domestic violence remains under review, per an NFL spokesman, the league made a decision to suspend another member of the Dallas Cowboys.
Defensive end Damontre Moore has been suspended two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, the NFL announced Friday. He will be able to play in the preseason and practice with the team until the week leading up to the season opener.
The suspension does not come as a surprise to the Cowboys, as Moore was arrested for DWI while with the Seattle Seahawks last December.
The Cowboys knew this outcome was possible when they signed him.
But the Cowboys were comfortable signing because they believe he has matured, per coach Jason Garrett.
The Cowboys considered signing Moore last year but decided against it, while instructing him to take some steps to clean up his off-the-field issues that derailed him in previous stints with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.
The Cowboys trusted that Moore is headed in the right direction, which is why they signed him even after the arrest.
"I don't want to get into the details, but we had some people in our building visit from him and talk to him about getting on a program," Garrett said. "There was some stuff that we felt like he improved upon greatly. And we felt comfortable enough to sign him under our conditions. We're excited that we have so far and again, we'll evaluate him day by day. Hopefully day by day he continues to grow as a person and as a player."
Still, Moore adds to the stench of suspensions that smeared the Cowboys of late.
He joins defensive end David Irving, who will be suspended for the first four games of the season for using a banned suspension.
Defensive end Randy Gregory has been suspended for a year for repeated violations of the drug policy.
In addition to Elliott, cornerback Nolan Carroll and linebacker Damien Wilson could possibly be add to the list.
Carroll was arrested for DWI in Dallas in May. And Wilson has two pending charges of aggravated felony assault, stemming from a July 4 arrest in Frisco, Texas.
Neither case has been set for a court date. But the NFL is monitoring both situations.
