La'el Collins will begin serving his five-game suspension Sunday, but the Dallas Cowboys right tackle is appealing the ban and hopes the facts of his case lead the NFL to overturn its decision.
Collins missed multiple drug tests, according to sources, but he also believes there are valid reasons for almost each missed test.
One missed test came last November on the day that Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died, and the organization sent all its players home to allow them to grieve.
Another missed test came on the day of Collins' uncle's funeral in Arizona, according to a source.