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Cowboys’ DE Randy Gregory Applies For NFL Reinstatement Following Indefinite Suspension For Marijuana Use

IINDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: Defensive lineman Randy Gregory of Nebraska competes during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Cowboys’ defensive end Randy Gregory is officially seeking NFL reinstatement following an indefinite suspension he had been serving since February 2019 due to his frequent use of marijuana. The league’s substance abuse policy calls for a decision on Gregory’s status in the next 60 days. Since being drafted by Dallas in 2015, Gregory has been suspended four times for failed or missed drug tests.

The NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement was released last week and one of the most significant changes announced was no suspensions for players who test positive for marijuana. Despite the new policy, commissioner Roger Goodell still holds the decision of whether or not to allow Gregory to return. Players can still be suspended for skipping drug tests and not participating in a overall health care plan.

Gregory last suited up for Dallas in 2018 and started 14 games that season totaling 6.5 sacks. Now 27 years old, he missed 30 of 32 regular season games in 2016-17 as a result of suspensions and has played in just 28 total games.

He recently sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker detailing his daily routine and his fight to return to the NFL “for good this time.”

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“I am happy,” Gregory told Walker. “And in a better place mentally more than ever.”

Last year, the Cowboys attempted to sign him to a contract extension but the deal was denied by the NFL due to a decision that prohibits suspended players from getting new deals,. Gregory remains under contract with the Cowboys and will reportedly receive a short-term extension if reinstated, according to team sources.

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has supported Gregory throughout the years and has been a proponent for a substance-abuse policy that offers players medical care instead of punishment. He hopes to see Gregory return to a defense that could use his services after losing last year’s team sack leader Robert Quinn to the Bears in free agency.