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Once a fixture on one of the NFL's most dominant offensive lines, La'el Collins is now facing an uncertain future in the league.
After a promising start with the Dallas Cowboys, where he transitioned from undrafted rookie to reliable starter, Collins has not appeared in an NFL game since late 2022. His absence, especially for longtime Cowboys fans, is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change in professional football.
La'el Collins NFL status 2025
Collins broke into the league in 2015 as one of the more intriguing undrafted free agents in recent memory.
Touted as a first-round talent coming out of LSU, off-field concerns during the draft led to his unexpected slide.
The Cowboys seized the opportunity, and Collins quickly proved them right, earning a starting spot as a rookie and ultimately becoming a versatile and dependable presence along the line.
From 2017 through 2019, Collins solidified himself as Dallas' right tackle, missing only one game over that stretch.
His performance earned him a five-year, $50 million extension, reinforcing his value as a core piece of the team's offensive identity.
But injuries began to take their toll. A combination of hip, groin, and neck issues cost him the entire 2020 season, and a suspension in 2021 further disrupted his trajectory.
After being released by Dallas, Collins signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022.
However, a devastating knee injury late that season ended his year, and, effectively, his time in Cincinnati.
Despite g with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, he failed to make the final roster.
As of May 2025, Collins remains a free agent, having not played a snap in over two years.
At 31, with multiple injuries behind him and no recent game film, Collins finds himself in a tough spot.
Teams across the league increasingly favor younger, healthier, and more cost-effective linemen.
While he might still draw interest as an emergency option or mentor, a full return to starting duty seems improbable.
Still, Collins' journey, from undrafted risk to cornerstone of an elite Cowboys line, won't be forgotten.
His story underscores the fine line between success and struggle in the NFL, and the harsh reality that even proven talent can quickly find itself on the outside looking in.