UPDATE: Randy Gregory Not In Compliance, Can’t Practice Yet

UPDATE: As you will read below, it was thought that Randy Gregory might return to practice on Wednesday. It turns out those reports were wrong. The NFL has stated that Gregory is not “in compliance” and that he is not eligible to practice yet. Just another source turning out to be wrong in the twisted saga of Randy Gregory’s suspensions.

This from the mothership:

While there have been both reports and expectations from the Cowboys that Gregory could be able to practice this week, the NFL has announced he will not be eligible to practice with the team until his suspension has been completed.

The second-year defensive end is not eligible to play until at least Week 16 of this season, assuming he is officially cleared by the NFL. Gregory is serving a combined 14-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Original article:

Back on November 11th of this year, word leaked that Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory had either failed or missed a drug test that would result in another suspension, this one for a year. While there was no official word from the Cowboys or the NFL on the matter, it just seemed like everybody agreed it had happened and that Gregory would not be able to help the Cowboys this year. All of that has changed.

Multiple outlets are reporting that Gregory is appealing the suspension and that he will be able to practice starting this Wednesday and may be able to play beginning with the Detroit Lions game.

Other outlets are saying that the NFL hasn’t told the Cowboys anything about imposing a new suspension for whatever happened with the supposed failed/missed drug test. So either there isn’t a suspension in place yet, or there is and Gregory is appealing it. Whichever is the case, it seems Gregory is going to return to practice Wednesday.

Todd Archer reports that he could get a two-week practice exemption.

When the Dallas Cowboys return to practice Wednesday, defensive end Randy Gregory could be on the field, according to sources.

While Gregory's suspension runs through Dec. 18 when the Cowboys play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he could be granted a two-week exemption to practice because of the length of the suspension. When he is eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 19, the Cowboys would not have a post-suspension roster exemption and would have to make a move to add him to the 53-man roster.

Archer also states that the Cowboys have heard nothing new on a penalty being imposed, so the thinking is that it might not be settled until the offseason and Gregory could actually play this year.

Gregory has been a regular at The Star according to the DMN.

Although Gregory has not been allowed to take part in practice until this week, he has a locker at The Star and is at the facility on an almost daily basis as he continues his dependency treatment.

So, there seems to be a lot up in the air right now. Has he been suspended a third time or hasn’t he? Is he appealing it? How much do these “sources” actually know? And finally... can Gregory actually help the Cowboys pass rush if he can play?

Stay tuned...