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Cowboys' Randy Gregory Working Through NFL Reinstatement Process, Says Agent
May 21, 2020
Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher Randy Gregory, who was suspended for the entirety of the 2019 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, is hoping to be reinstated ahead of the 2020 season.
"We are working through the process," his agent, Peter Schaffer, told Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "We are very happy for Aldon [Smith] and wish him all the luck in the world and successful resumption of his career. It's refreshing to see the NFL following through on their stated goal to focus more of rehabbing players than punishing players."
Smith was conditionally reinstated by the NFL this offseason after being out of the league since 2015, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Gregory, a second-round pick of the Cowboys in the 2015 NFL draft, has been suspended four times in his career. He's played in 28 NFL games, registering 45 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his career.
But he missed the entirety of the 2017 and 2019 seasons due to suspension.
Dallas could use him back. With Robert Quinn signing in Chicago, the Cowboys are now without their leader in sacks (11.5) from last season. Tyrone Crawford (one sack in 2019) is currently slated to start opposite DeMarcus Lawrence off the edge.
Suffice it to say, the team's pass rush is not currently its strength. And with star cornerback Byron Jones also leaving in free agency, the team's pass defense could take a step back in 2020.
A reinstated Gregory would help. He was solid in 2018 with six sacks and seven tackles for loss. It's hard to imagine him suddenly becoming a star given the gaps in his playing career, but he would give the team more depth at the very least.
And given the immense talent he boasted coming out of college, it's certainly possible he could be a solid contributor in 2020. Both Smith and Gregory could be reclamation projects with major upside for Dallas next season.