The four-game suspension placed by the NFL is up and David Irving is eligible to resume playing Week 5.

The Dallas Cowboys will host the Green Bay Packers in AT&T Stadium next Sunday after having suffered a tough loss against the Rams last week, which now leaves the Cowboys standing at 2-2.

The veteran pass rusher will be re-joining this season’s star, Demarcus Lawrence, to hopefully prevent this team from a two-game losing streak before heading into the bye week.

Irving was named Player of the Week for Week 6 for his outstanding performance against the Packers last season, which was nearly a year ago. He not only had one sack, one pass deflection and one fumble recovery, he also tied a team record with three forced fumbles matching DeMarcus Ware in 2005.

Wow! Packers fumble the ball following a David Irving sack on the 3 yard line.

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) October 16, 2016

It is vital that the Cowboys shut down QB Aaron Rodgers early and often during the game to ensure the Packers do not catch any momentum. Time and time again we have seen Rodgers bring his team back to life at the last minute, but that’s where Irving comes in. Lawrence has been having a magnificent season thus far, now it is up to Irving to step up for this rocky Cowboys defense.

Irving is entering a contract year with the Cowboys after costing himself the first four games of this season. He had an impressive 2016 season, but what the Cowboys staff should be looking for is consistency. It is a new year and a new season that has been an unpredictable one so far. With having already missed a big chunk of the season, Irving must be prepared to contribute defensively. This is the time to get paid. 

His potential is definitely there, now it’s time to turn this Cowboys defense around.

Irving is returning to the game not a moment too soon.