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Report: Rolando McClain Visits With Patriots

BOSTON (CBS) -- Dont'a Hightower is expected to be on the shelf for the start of the season, and the Patriots may be looking for some reinforcements at linebacker.

One potential addition was in Foxboro on Monday, as ESPN's Field Yates reported that Rolando McClain visited with the Patriots.

McClain, 25, played for the Cowboys last season, after spending the first three years of his career in Oakland. He recorded 81 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions in 13 games last season, and he's averaged 82 tackles per season in his career. He set a career high in sacks with five in 2011.

The free-agent linebacker will have to pay a four-game fine to start the 2015 season, after he was found to be in violation of the league's substance-abuse policy in February. One more failed drug test would result in a four-game suspension.

Perhaps the most famous play of McClain's career came at the expense of current Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola back in 2010:

Rolando McClain Body Slam.avi by hexamega on YouTube

McClain finished second to Rob Gronkowski in NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting last season, as he had previously announced his retirement from football in 2013 following three arrests. McClain had signed with the Ravens prior to 2013 but never played for them.


98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones opened his show Monday night talking about New England's interest in McClain and broke down all the reasons why that could be the case.

Listen below:

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