If you weren’t looking forward to seeing Randy Gregory lining up across from his former teammates, you’ve been given a reprieve. The former Cowboy remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list and won’t be playing when Dallas visits the Denver Broncos in Saturday’s preseason opener.
Gregory is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He started Denver’s training camp on PUP and is not expected to participate in any preseason games, though the Broncos hope to have him ready for Week One.
By missing this week’s matchup, Randy’s chances of ever suiting up against the Cowboys have taken a big hit. Dallas and Denver just played each other in 2021 so, if the current scheduling rotation holds, their next meeting regular-season game may not come until the 2025 season.
Of course, the introduction of the 17th game does increase opportunities for interconference meetings. And there’s always the possibility of another preseason date between the two clubs.
Gregory left the Cowboys this offseason after seven tumultuous years. Just as it seemed the defensive end was finally getting his career on track, disputes over language in a proposed contract last March angered Randy and pushed the free agent into the Broncos’ arms.
Dallas has had a busy offseason trying to replace Gregory and boost their pass rush. They re-signed Dorance Armstrong, drafted Sam Williams in the 2nd round, and are taking a flier on former 1st-round pick Dante Fowler.
Thankfully, Micah Parsons is still here as the Cowboys’ top pass-rushing option. But getting more from their defensive ends is critical to keeping Parsons versatile and making the defense more dangerous overall.
Holding onto Randy Gregory certainly would’ve helped. He’s one of the more gifted pass rushers we’ve seen in Dallas over many years and showed his big-play potential several times in 2021. Thankfully, he won’t be making life difficult for the Cowboys offensive line this Saturday.
Move on from the Gregory myth.
Hype is hype. And Gregory is the poster child of hype. Denver took him and he has a significant injury already. Dallas can certainly replace all 12 career starts and 16 career sacks…CAREER. Dallas can also find someone else to repeatedly line up offsides, ignore the run and get suspended.
Agreed, Cowboys bent over backward way too long for this overrated problem child only for him to stick in their back. Good riddance! Hopefully, some combination of that trio will get the job done. I thought Armstrong was starting to come on last year.
Shocking, shocking, I tell you.
Naw, actually just par for the course with him. It’s always something, at least it’s now something for the Broncos to deal with.
If Gregory can keep his head on straight, he is one of the best. But how many times did he disrupt the Cowboy team with his suspensions and absences? It might be better if Denver can work through his troubles. One has to consider the ‘cost to benefit’ decision of Gregory. Is he worth it? We will find out by what he does for the Broncos and how well the Cowboys replace his efforts.
I hated to see him go, towards the end if the season he really picked it up and was a monster on the field! I don’t know about y’all.. But I wish him the best..I really do ..✌