With new CBA’s easing on marijuana, Dallas Cowboys Randy Gregory seeks reinstatement
The Dallas Cowboys are not necessarily counting on the suspended Randy Gregory to fill the pass-rushing void following the departure of defensive end Robert Quinn via free agency.
But it could be one of the options at their disposal following reports that Gregory has officially filed for reinstatement to the NFL.
According to a source, Gregory is in the process of filing for reinstatement and the Cowboys are open to his return.
Gregory has not played in the NFL since being placed on indefinite suspension in February of 2019 for repeated violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
But players can no longer be suspended for testing positive for marijuana, thanks to recent changes to the drug policy under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Gregory was suspended under the old policy, so on its face there would appear to be no reason for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to block his reinstatement.
The NFL has 60 days to rule on his application.
With the team’s offseason activities on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, time is not an issue at the moment.
Whenever he returns, he would be welcomed by a Cowboys team void of legitimate pass rusher opposite Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.
Gregory, 27, had 6.5 sacks in 14 games when he last played in 2018 and would be the team’s best bet to replace the 11.5 sacks that Quinn took to the Chicago Bears in free agency.
In addition to Lawrence, the other defensive ends on the roster are Tyrone Crawford, Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson and Jalen Jelks.
Crawford has 23 sacks in seven seasons but is coming off surgery on both hips in 2019. Armstrong, Jackson and Jelks have 2.5 sacks between them.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
