The Dallas Cowboys got some good news on the reinstatement front yesterday when Cowboys edge rusher Aldon Smith was conditionally reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. It’s good news for the Cowboys who needed some help on the edge of their defensive line. Aside from DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford, the Cowboys don’t have much in the way of experience on the edge. However, now that Aldon Smith is back in the mix, the Cowboys get a former All-Pro who once had 19.5 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers.
Next on the docket for reinstatement is another defensive end, Randy Gregory.
Per Todd Archer of ESPN, Randy Gregory filed for reinstatement back on March 22nd. Once a player files for reinstatement, Roger Goodell has 60 days to rule on the reinstatement case. Doing the math, that 60 days would be up today, March 21st and Roger Goodell should make a ruling on Gregory’s reinstatement case today.
Getting both Smith and Gregory reinstated on consecutive days would be massive news for the Dallas Cowboys defense.
“We are working through the process. We are very happy for Aldon 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.”
Peter Schaffer, Randy Gregory’s Agent via Pro Football Talk
Shaffer also stated that Gregory is in “great shape,” which is good news for Gregory and the Dallas Cowboys. The refrain from those around Aldon Smith has been similar.
Randy Gregory has been serving an indefinite suspension from his struggles with marijuana use that has kept him off the field for most of his career. Since being selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Gregory has played in just 28 games for the Cowboys over five seasons. Gregory was available for the Cowboys in the second round because of a failed drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine.
With Smith and soon Gregory reinstated, the Dallas Cowboys group of edge rushers now looks quite promising:
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Aldon Smith
- Randy Gregory
- Tyrone Crawford
- Dorance Armstrong
- Bradlee Anae
Perhaps just as important, it’s a versatile group of pass rushers that will allow the Dallas Cowboys to align in multiple fronts with both three and four down linemen. Throw Linebacker Jaylon Smith into the mix, and the Cowboys will be able to show a variety of looks in the front seven and keep teams off balance with who’s rushing the passer.
As the NFL has softened its stance on marijuana testing and the punishment for a failed test in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it should provide a spark to Randy Gregory’s career moving forward.
When Gregory last played in 2018, he performed quite well, playing in 14 games and accumulating six sacks. After losing Byron Jones and Robert Quinn in free agency, the Cowboys will need Gregory to hit the ground running and provide similar production to what he did in 2018 for the Cowboys to make a run at the postseason.
In an offseason that has been thrown off due to COVID-19, the Cowboys have had a lot of good things happen for them.
Randy Gregory’s return to the Dallas Cowboys could come as early as today. That’s a lot of good news in 24 hours. It’ll be even better news when they can both take the field week one against the Los Angeles Rams.
