Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory had a history when he was selected by the team in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Gregory failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine last February, which is one of the primary reasons he dropped to the Cowboys in the second round. This came just months after Gregory was considered a lock to go in the top 10.
Now comes this from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport indicating that Gregory has been suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy:
#Cowboys DE Randy Gregory has been suspended for the first 4 games of 2016 for violating @NFL substance abuse policy. He has a history.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 19, 2016
Rapoport goes on to report that Gregory has failed four different drug tests, including that initial positive reading at the combine last year. That failed test put the pass rusher in the league’s substance abuse program.
Two subsequent failed tests led to the former Nebraska standout being stripped of game checks. This fourth failed test will now result in a four-game suspension.
Gregory showed flashes as a rookie in 2015, but failed to live up to the pre-draft hype. With Greg Hardy unlikely to return to Dallas, the Cowboys will now likely find themselves behind the proverbial eight-ball for the first quarter of the season, at least from a pass-rush perspective.