Report: Randy Gregory to Apply for Reinstatement After Substance Abuse Violation

After missing the entire 2017 season, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is looking to return to his team.

According to David Moore of SportsDay, Gregory is preparing to file for reinstatement after the NFL suspended him in January 2017 for at least one year for violating its policy for abuse of substances. Per Moore, the lineman has been "adhering to his program and the feeling around him is said to be positive." 

After sliding to the second round in the 2015 draft due to off-the-field issues, the Nebraska product played in 12 games as a rookie before being limited to just two games in his second season after the league suspended him for 14 games for multiple violations. He has 20 combined tackles and one sack in his career.

Last April, TMZ Sports reported Gregory had failed his seventh drug test and had blown off NFL officials.

Gregory may be looking for reinstatement, but the Cowboys aren't banking on having him on the roster. Dallas executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the matter in February, per ESPN.com's Todd Archer:

"We assume worst-case on any situations, whether it's the money or availability, especially if players are facing suspensions. Obviously last year when we knew (Ezekiel Elliott) faced a possible suspension we kept extra running backs, assuming worst case. So we have to move forward, assuming that Randy is not going to be here. If he is here, obviously it's a big deal. First and foremost for him if he could get himself in a situation where he feels like he could actually play football."

That's the approach any team must have when it comes to a player who routinely shown he cannot be depended upon. If he's cleared by the league to return, the Cowboys will get a 25-year-old defensive end with something to prove. If not, the team will be prepared.