Cowboys DE Randy Gregory reinstated by NFL

The Dallas Cowboys will be getting some immediate help on their defensive line heading into the 2018 season, as defensive end Randy Gregory was reinstated by the NFL on Tuesday.

Gregory’s lawyer confirmed the news.

#Cowboys pass-rusher Randy Gregory’s petition for reinstatement was not opposed, according to lawyer Daniel Moskowitz. He’s back. “I’ve never been more proud of any individual in my life. I’m very excited for Randy and his daughter and the rest of the his family."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2018

The road back for Gregory has been a long one, as he was suspended for the entire 2017 season following multiple failed drug tests. The former Nebraska star has played in only two games over the past two seasons, and there was doubt over whether he would ever play in the NFL again.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is big on second chances, and the team has stuck by Gregory throughout all of his off-field issues. Like other teams, they knew he had a history with not being able to stay out of trouble prior to the 2015 NFL Draft, but they took him with the 60th overall pick anyway.

Gregory is just 25, so he will have plenty of time to reestablish his career if he can stay clean. If not, he is likely out of strikes from the NFL.