Dallas Cowboys: What does Randy Gregory reinstatement mean?

The Dallas Cowboys got some good news when Randy Gregory was reinstated by the NFL. But the good news will mean little on the field in 2018.

The Dallas Cowboys have been searching for pass rush help for a long time. They have invested multiple draft assets into the problem.

Unfortunately, their draft efforts have yet to pan out.

But the Cowboys received good news from the NFL that defensive end Randy Gregory has been conditionally reinstated in time for training camp.

The reinstatement is based on the condition that Gregory put “clinical resources” in place and continued compliance with league policies regarding substances of abuse. Clinical resources means continued counseling or therapy. Compliance must be maintained on both the clinical side and in terms of not using substances of abuse. This seems like a trivial thing to get him back on the field, but these two items will be critical to his long term success in the NFL.

However, if fans believe that reinstatement of Gregory will help the Cowboys defense in 2018, then they need to think again. When Gregory was healthy and playing he did very little to help the Cowboys defense. At best he was a situational pass rusher. He needs to improve his game dramatically in terms of run defense and developing a second pass rush option to go along with his speed rush.

Next: NFL 2018: Ranking the 50 best pass rushers

What is important for Gregory now is to stay clean, attending his clinical sessions and get his life back in order. This should be what Cowboys fans should expect from Gregory during the 2018 season. If he can successfully get this part of his life under control over the course of next season, then talk of his development on the field can become relevant.

Until then, cheer for Gregory to figure his life out.