If anyone has followed Dallas Cowboys news this offseason, they’ve been paying attention to the Randy Gregory reinstatement saga. After applying for reinstatement in March, the league had postponed answering Gregory’s request. And postponed. And postponed some more, until now. A month ago Gregory revealed his frustration with the process, but he can breathe a little easier on Friday.
Suspended multiple times throughout his career over marijuana violations the league no longer punishes for, it’s been a huge question why other players have been reinstated but Gregory was being left in the wind. As first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Gregory was officially granted reinstatement by the league on Friday.
Official word from the NFL on #Cowboys DE Randy Gregory’s conditional reinstatement, beginning with an acclimation and period and return to game action no sooner than Oct. 25 at Washington: pic.twitter.com/R4CBFfByAc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 4, 2020
The 27-year old defensive end can report to Dallas as early as Monday, September 7, but must undergo an acclimation period.
Gregory is allowed to begin practice with the team October 5 assuming he passes all Covid-19 protocols.
The explosive pass-rusher is eligible to suit up for games after the teams Week 7 game against Washington on October 25. He will be paid his full salary from Week 1 even though he is not eligible to play.
Gregory’s base salary in 2020 should be his 2019 salary of just over $645,000 with the contract tolling because he was never active for a single game.
Gregory’s journey has been well documented, and it was clear he had done all the right things with hope this verdict would soon come. Gregory posted the following tweet summarizing his emotions
— Randy Gregory (@RandyGregory_4) September 4, 2020
Gregory may not have played in 2019, but 2018 was his best season to date as he accumulated six sacks over 14 games and only one start. In his limited playing time Gregory has shown flashes of the player that was once considered a top-10 draft prospect out of Nebraska.
The Cowboys recently signed veteran Everson Griffen to answer some questions at defensive end, but after perennial Pro-Bowlers DeMarcus Lawrence and the aforementioned Griffen, the remaining end rotation was set to boast of another reclamation project Aldon Smith.
Dorance Armstrong and rookie Bradlee Anae are seen as the next ends in the rotation, of course with Tyrone Crawford able to spend time both inside and out. Smith, despite an amazing camp by all accounts, hasn’t played a snap in four years. It goes without saying Dallas can benefit from the addition of the talented Gregory, albeit later in the season.
It’s hard to not be happy for Gregory, as the young man now gets another chance to pursue his goals and revitalize his career.
[vertical-gallery id=653320][lawrence-newsletter]