Two embattled and oft-suspended NFL players are trying to get back into the league’s good graces. Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory and former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant have both applied for reinstatement after being handed indefinite suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
#Cowboys pass-rusher Randy Gregory, suspended in February for violating the league's substance abuse policy, will apply for reinstatement this week, source said. His application is forthcoming. He’ll join Martavis Bryant among those hoping to be back in 2019 from suspension.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 16, 2019
With the league’s drug policy, specifically concerning marijuana (now legal in 32 out of 50 states including states where 22 of the 32 NFL franchises play), it’s a good time to petition for a return since the next collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA should ban all marijuana testing. And if it doesn’t, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith needs to be fired on the spot.
Gregory got his walking papers back in February. It was his fourth suspension since he was drafted in the second round out of Nebraska in the 2015 NFL Draft. Gregory played in 14 games for the Cowboys last season, starting one. He recorded 25 tackles, seven for a loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovered and six sacks, so you can see why Dallas is heavily invested in his return.
To make matters easier on Gregory, Jerry Jones is taking a more proactive position in the owners’ side of the collective bargaining negotiations and since his team has been one of the most affected by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s overreach in power and the league’s stupid marijuana policy, there’s reason for Gregory to expect the best.
Bryant has been nailed by the league three times since being picked in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was already suspended for the entire 2016 season. Last year, in eight games with the Raiders, he caught 19 passes for 266 yards after the team acquired him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but finished the season on injured reserve.
Suspended former Steelers and Raiders WR Martavis Bryant has formally applied to the NFL for reinstatement. Bryant has been working with the NFL and NFLPA on steps he needs to take to address his mental health issues with resources such as therapists and ADHD treatments.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) July 15, 2019
Bryant is currently a free agent, but a reinstatement and change in the league’s drug policy will make the 6-4, 210-pound wideout an easy pick up for a team in need of pass-catchers.
