Two days after the NFL announced a four-game suspension without pay for Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory, the team made its first official statement on the matter.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, the team's director of player personnel didn't hide his displeasure with the news on Gregory, who violated the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
*"This is a disappointment. We have been clear with Randy about what his responsibilities are and what is expected of him. This is something that he is going to have to work through and correct." *
Gregory's substance issues have been well-documented after he reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL's scouting combine a year ago. In doing so, his draft stock not only dropped him to the second round, where the Cowboys selected him 60th overall, but put him in the NFL's drug program. However, to get the four-game suspension, Gregory reportedly failred three more drug tests throughout the season.
Gregory missed four games during his 2015 rookie season, although to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1 against the Giants. He did not record a sack in the 12 games he played but finished fourth on the team with 16 quarterback pressures.
In 2016, Gregory's base salary is just $608,406, and only increases to $781,812 in 2017 and $955,218 in 2018, which is the final season of his initial four-year contract. The suspension, however, could cost Gregory portions of his guaranteed money in each season.
Last year, the Cowboys had two defensive starters – Rolando McClain and Greg Hardy – miss the first four games of the season due to NFL suspensions.
