Dallas Cowboys: Randy Gregory reportedly relapses, will NFL have mercy?

According to a report, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory’s substance abuse issues could once again cause him to be banned by the NFL.

14 games. 20 total tackles. 1.0 sack. That’s the career totals for the Dallas Cowboys‘ former 2015 second round selection Randy Gregory. The fourth-year defensive end out of Nebraska was once touted as a top-ten talent in his draft class.

But substance abuse issues resulted in Gregory falling to Dallas at the 60th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. And it’s those same issues that have caused him to spend the majority of his NFL career at home instead of on the field.

Gregory’s drug issues caused him to miss all but two games in 2016. More failed drug tests resulted in a year-long ban, robbing him of the opportunity to play at all last season. Now, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the 25-year old pass rusher relapsed last month and that could cause Gregory to be suspended once again.

According to Schefter, the NFL is currently studying Gregory’s case and factoring in the steps that the troubled defensive end has taken over the past month. The league is expected to rule on his latest setback as early as this upcoming week.

The real question is whether the NFL will opt to show mercy to Gregory and focus his punishment on getting more treatment rather than a lengthy suspension. Outside of Schefter’s report, no other details are known about this alleged relapse and the circumstances surrounding it.

Randy Gregory return to the Dallas Cowboys in July after the NFL reinstated him from his year-long ban. His presence in training camp and play during the preseason has excited fans about his potential impact in 2018. But this latest news only highlights the fact that Gregory continues to battle his substance abuse issues and it’s a daily struggle. His status on the team, and in the league, will seemingly always be in jeopardy.