McClain recorded eight tackles including a sack in his season debut Sunday.

He made a quick impression after serving his four-game suspension, and McClain should be a consistent IDP asset for the remainder of the season coming out of next week's bye.

McClain was officially re-instated to the Cowboys roster Monday after serving his four-game suspension.

Linebacker Keith Smith got waived to make room for him on the 53-man roster. Assuming McClain has fully recovered from the knee injury that limited him in training camp, he should immediately slot into the middle linebacker spot for a Dallas defense that could be missing Sean Lee (concussion) against the Patriots in Week 5.

McClain (knee/suspension) was activated from the PUP list Monday, Rob Phillips of DallasCowboys.com reports.

There had been some speculation that McClain might begin the regular season still on the PUP list, as he could have served his four-game suspension concurrently with his time on the list, but the Cowboys instead decided that they would rather have him available as soon as possible. He practiced on a limited basis Monday, but the team hasn't decided yet whether he'll suit up for their final preseason game.

McClain (knee) has yet to begin practicing, and the Cowboys could elect to have him begin the regular season on the PUP list, Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports.

McClain's already suspended for the first four games of the season and given the team's Week 6 bye, putting McClain on the PUP list would only cost him one additional game while freeing up a roster spot for some additional depth at LB. Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones suggested Saturday that McClain was on pace to be ready for action in Week 1 even though he's not eligible to play, but roster considerations rather than McClain's health could end up being the over-riding factor.

McClain (knee) is about one or two weeks away from practicing in training camp, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports.

McClain, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in May of 2015, isn't being rushed back into action and will likely continue to sit out for at least another week. He's suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season after violating the league's substance abuse policy, so there's no reason for the Cowboys to force him back onto the field before he's at full health. Upon his return, McClain's in line to lead Dallas' linebacker corps.

McClain (knee) could begin training camp on the PUP list, the Dallas Morning News reports.

He didn't participate much during the Cowboys' offseason workouts as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery, and with a four-game suspension looming to begin the season McClain can be brought along as slowly as necessary.

McClain (knee) has been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Mike Garofalo of Fox Sports 1 reports.

The middle linebacker seemed to get his career back on track last season with the Cowboys, but McClain will now have to sit until Week 5 before returning to the lineup. Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens are the most likely candidates to fill in for McClain while he's out, who at least will get extra time to recover from his arthroscopic knee surgery before he does get on the field.

McClain (knee) didn't practice Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month, McClain's rehabilitation has taken place in Alabama, for the most part. As a result, he missed the entirety of OTAs but was able to partake in the walkthrough portion in Tuesday's drills. The Cowboys hope that McClain will be a full participant once training camp begins on July 28, as he aims to build upon an 81-tackle initial season with the Cowboys in 2014.

McClain recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, ESPN.com reports.

As a result, McClain is not participating in the Cowboys' current OTAs and he could be held out until training camp. That said, McClain underwent the procedure with an eye toward being 100 percent when the regular season begins and remains on track to start at middle linebacker for Dallas this coming season. In 13 games last year, McClain recorded 81 tackles for the Cowboys.

McClain re-signed with the Cowboys on Wednesday on a one-year, $3 million contract, Drew Davidson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports.

McClain was able to resurrect his career while joining the Cowboys for training camp last season, ultimately winning the starting middle linebacker job and finishing second on the team in tackles (108) over his 13 games. The Cowboys had prepared for McClain's potential departure by inking veterans Jasper Brinkley and Keith Rivers to deals, but they're slated to serve as depth in the linebacking corps with McClain being retained. McClain was limited by knee and groin injuries in addition to a concussion last season, but should be fully healthy heading into the 2015 campaign.

McClain will be facing a four-game suspension in 2015 after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the Dallas Morning News reports.

He seemed to be headed to a decent payday as a free agent this offseason following a solid comeback campaign with the Cowboys, but McClain's future in the league is now once again up in the air.

McClain was forced out of Sunday's playoff game with a head injury, ESPN's Todd Archer reports.

After having suffered a concussion last week, it seems unlikely that McClain will re-enter Sunday's game. Prior to his exit, McClain had recorded one tackle.

McClain (knee/concussion) is listed as active for Sunday's playoff game against the Packers, David Helman of dallascowboys.com reports.

Meanwhile, fellow linebackers Keith Smith and James Anderson are inactive Sunday, which Helman suggests is a sign that the Cowboys feel good about the prospects of McClain and Anthony Hitchens, who were both listed as questionable in advance of Sunday's contest.

McClain (knee/concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Packers, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

McClain returned to practice Friday after being cleared to do so under the NFL's concussion protocol, so it looks like the middle linebacker -- who was forced out of last weekend's win over the Lions after recording five tackles -- has a solid chance to suit up for Sunday's 1:05 ET kickoff.

McClain has been cleared from his concussion, and he is participating in Friday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas reports.

As expected, McClain is back at practice Friday, after suffering a concussion during Sunday's win over the Lions. He thus seems likely to get the start at inside linebacker in Sunday's game against the Packers, though his presence can't yet be taken as a given.

McClain (concussion) appears unlikely to return to practice until Friday, NFL Network's Desmond Purnell reports.

McClain was forced out of this past Sunday's wild card win over the Lions early in the second quarter with a concussion. More on the status of the Cowboys' starting middle linebacker as the week continues, but for the time being, his availability for this weekend's contest against the Packers is uncertain.

McClain was forced out of Sunday's playoff game against the Lions in the second quarter due to illness, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Prior to his exit from Sunday's game, McClain -- who started at middle linebacker -- had recorded five tackles. During the regular season, McClain notched 81 tackles and two picks in 13 games.

McClain (illness) will not play against Washington on Sunday.

McClain is dealing with an illness and did not make to the trip to D.C. with the team. Assuming it's nothing overly serious, he'll likely be ready to return for the Cowboys' first-round playoff game.

Despite leaving the field briefly during the first half to have his knee checked out, McClain recorded seven tackles during Thursday's loss to the Eagles.

That's 18 tackles in two games since McClain returned to action following the Cowboys' bye week. His ongoing knee issues make him a somewhat risky IDP play, however.

McClain (knee) led the Cowboys with 11 tackles in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Looks like the Cowboys' bye week provided McClain with enough rest to get him back into top form. He's a risky IDP play due to the short week, but he could have another productive game on Thursday against the Eagles.