DMN: Source - Dallas Cowboys choose not to activate DT Amobi Okoye

[Cotton]

Source: Dallas Cowboys choose not to activate DT Amobi Okoye
By Rainer Sabin rsabin@dallasnews.com
2:40 pm on November 13, 2014 | Permalink

IRVING — Amobi Okoye will not play this season after the Cowboys chose not to activate him from the reserve/non-football illness list, a source said.

The 6-2, 310-pound defensive tackle began practicing with the club Oct. 23 and was attempting to work back into football shape following a lengthy battle with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in 2013.

The Cowboys had 21 days before Thursday’s deadline to evaluate his condition and determine whether they wanted to add him to the 53-man roster, cut him or keep him on the non-football illness list the remainder of the season.

They chose the last option.

Okoye, who lost 78 pounds and experienced a 145-day memory gap during his lengthy battle with the autoimmune disease, has regained the weight and looks the part of a massive defensive tackle. He was cleared in August to do contract drills, but the Cowboys wanted to proceed cautiously after signing him to a two-year contract in May.

And now Okoye will have to wait until 2015 for his shot to play in his first NFL game since 2012.

 

[ravidubey]

I guess they thought he was significantly behind Nick Hayden. Look forward to seeing Okoye in camp next year after a productive offseason.

 

[Jiggyfly]

I guess they thought he was significantly behind Nick Hayden. Look forward to seeing Okoye in camp next year after a productive offseason.

Hayden has been better this year his hustle has really stood out, he has made a lot of inline pursuit tackles.

 

[BipolarFuk]

Hayden has been better this year his hustle has really stood out, he has made a lot of inline pursuit tackles.

Probably because he's playing significantly less snaps than last year.

 

[Newt]

Good decision, no need to rush him into the lineup. This way we can sit on him for a year and see if is able to return to form.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

With Brent coming back there really wasn't a need for Okoye. Especially since I think we have a couple of young DT's that I like on both our roster and our practice squad (Davon Coleman and Bishop).

 

[boozeman]

With Brent coming back there really wasn't a need for Okoye. Especially since I think we have a couple of young DT's that I like on both our roster and our practice squad (Davon Coleman and Bishop).

Agreed. What would he do?

I get it Marinelli wanted to do him a solid and what not, but putting him on the roster really wasn't practical.