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Cowboys’ Randy Gregory drops appeal of 10-game suspension

By Brad Berreman

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) on the bench during the first quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) on the bench during the first quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is already suspended for the first four games this year, and now it looks like 2016 will be a lost season for him.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory was already suspended for the first four games this season after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Then in July, he was hit with a separate 10-game suspension, and on the heels of his entering a rehab facility there was speculation he would not play at all this season.

Earlier this month reports of Gregory winning an appeal of that 10-game suspension surfaced, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the appeal was still pending.

Gregory is out of rehab and back with the Cowboys, though owner Jerry Jones suggested the obvious ongoing recovery attached to substance abuse. Now, Gregory has reportedly dropped the appeal of his additional 10-game suspension.

With a bye week in the mix, Gregory will not be eligible to play this season until Week 16. With obvious uncertainty about his being in anywhere near good enough shape to play football, Gregory is at best highly unlikely to make any contribution.

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Gregory was a first-round talent heading into the 2015 NFL Draft, but character concerns and a failed drug test at the NFL Combine dropped him to the second round (60th overall). He followed that up with a disappointing rookie season, with 11 total tackles and no sacks over 12 games as a backup to Greg Hardy.

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It’s worth wondering if Gregory ran afoul of the league’s substance abuse policy yet again, thus rendering the appeal of his 10-game suspension useless. It’s quite possible Gregory never sees an NFL field again, and in any case 2017 looks likely to be his last chance.

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