Jerry Jones closes door on Greg Hardy returning to Cowboys

The Cowboys went into the NFL Draft with definite needs for a pass rusher.

It’s been the elephant in the room the entire offseason, considering the Cowboys had problems rushing the passer in 2015 and then failed to sign any proven pass rushers in free agency.

The need at defensive end was compounded by the off field issues of Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, the projected starters at the position next season who both have been suspended by the NFL for the first four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The team then eschewed opportunities to address the position on the first two days of the NFL Draft with the choices of Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith and Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins in the first three rounds respectively.

That basically took off the table the possibility of getting any immediate help for the pass rush in the draft as most of the prospects past the first three rounds are considered projects.

It all raised the question of whether the Cowboys would re-consider their decision to walk away from controversial defensive end Greg Hardy, a player the team made no attempt to re-sign in the offseason following an issue-filled 2015.

Owner Jerry Jones was definitive and unequivocal in his answer late Friday night. He said the possibility of Hardy return is off the table.

That door has been closed.

Jones said the Cowboys will not bring Hardy back no matter what has happened in the draft.

Hardy didn’t live up to expectations on or off the field in 2015. He was brought in to improve the pass rush, but ended up with only six sacks, including two the final eight games.

Meanwhile, he drew the ire of coach Jason Garrett for frequent tardiness and inappropriate statements on social media and in the media. He was also considered a bad influence on the younger players such as Gregory and Lawrence.

The Cowboys took a chance on Hardy after he missed 15 games as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2014 after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list because of a May 2014 domestic violence incident.

He also missed the first four games with the Cowboys for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 12:03 AM with the headline "Jerry Jones closes door on Greg Hardy returning to Cowboys."