While ESPN is reporting that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory may face discipline or a decision this week from the NFL following a possible relapse in August, sources close to the player and the club say they have not been given any notice by the league that Gregory has run afoul of the drug policy.
Gregory will play in Sunday’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers and responded on Twitter following a teammates’ reaction to the ESPN report.
Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods quoted-tweeted “you crazy, we locked in”.
Gregory responded “straight like that.”
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded with “no comment” when asked about the report.
He did say was excited to see Gregory play against the Panthers.
What isn’t up for dispute is that Gregory missed the preseason finale against the Houston Texans to visit the NFL’s medical director in Chicago.
Per sources, that visit was prompted by Gregory and his agent Daniel Moskowitz. It was not directed by the league.
A source said if anything did fall through the cracks on Gregory’s end, it came during training camp in August as they were still putting his continuing treatment program together.
There have been no issues since the Cowboys returned to Dallas.
With an understanding that relapse is part of recovery and taking into account that the league emphasized intensified support and treatment rather than discipline, sources close to Gregory would be surprised if he draws an additional suspension.
But of course, nothing is guaranteed with the NFL and its substance program which has continually focused on discipline rather than recovery.
Gregory, who has missed 30 of the last 32 games, will play against the Panthers for the first time since the 2016 season finale for repeated violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was reinstated by the NFL right before training camp in July.
Gregory suffered a concussion in the second quarter and didn’t return to the game in second half.
Coach Jason Garrett said he looked active early on and seemed to be around the quarterback.
Regarding a possible relapse, Garrett said he knew nothing about it.
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