To start the 2015 season, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain was already going to play four games without pay for failing his third drug test. A fourth failed drug test would result in a four-game suspension. Unfortunately, that fourth failed drug test happened and McClain will be forced to sit out the first four games of the season.

I may be in the minority on this one, but this doesn’t surprise me in the slightest bit, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see McClain miss more than four games this season — because of suspension or other reasons. Sure, he was a huge bright spot in his return to football last season and deserves much of the credit for Dallas’ success on defense, but he was highly unreliable and didn’t seem to have the passion and drive to play like other players did.

I’m not questioning McClain’s toughness or unwillingness to play through injury. I’m questioning his desire and commitment to play football. Because of this, the Cowboys were prepared for such a situation by signing a boatload of linebackers as insurance. Jasper Brinkley is one of those guys who would have no trouble filling in for four games. His absence will be a big loss for Dallas, but it won’t derail the season the way losing a guy like Tony Romo, Dez Bryant or Orlando Scandrick would. Mark my words: The Cowboys will be perfectly fine without McClain, and here’s why.

McClain started 12 games for the Cowboys last season on a defense that didn’t have Sean Lee. Barring any injuries or other off-the-field issues, McClain would play in the same number of games as he did last season. Additionally, the Cowboys have second-year linebacker Anthony Hitchens waiting in the wings to play middle linebacker — and he’s plenty capable. He displays a fiery ambition to be on the field for every play. He’s the prototypical “see-and-hit” linebacker.

With Lee back in the fold this season, he will more than make up for the loss of McClain early on. He’s arguably Dallas’ best defensive player and was sorely missed in the middle of the field last season. Needless to say, if McClain can fill in for Lee like last season, the reverse can happen as well.

What Dallas has to worry about more is the chance that McClain steps away from football altogether. He’s done it in the past, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see it happen again. If McClain gets his head right and stays on the field and out of trouble, the Cowboys will be just fine without him for the first four games.