I also thought that was the case but I haven't found that anywhere in the CBA or Drug Policy
I know I've heard of players returning to practice two weeks before being eligible to play.
The rumors of Randy Gregory returning to practice tomorrow wouldn't have come out if Dallas wasn't expecting him to be eligible.
Gregory went to rehab trying to get a handle on his issue. He re-joined the team in week two and has been a regular in the weight room, meetings and individual drills on the field with trainers (not team drills).
He's trying.
Rolando McClain, this is not.
Did Gregory fail or miss another test after the 10 game suspension came down?
I don't know.
But the drug program isn't an iron fist that exists for the sole purpose of punishing evil doers. The program won't even catch most recreational drug users in the NFL. Players know when they are going to be tested and rarely fail them. Even players who do get caught can easily get out of stage one be staying clean for a short period of time.
The drug program is in place to find players who have a problem and help them.
Gregory isn't a bad apple. He's young and learning what it means to be a professional football player.
The NFL is being petty about the two week practice window ahead of the suspension ending when it should be focused on helping one of its players.
If Randy failed/missed another test, that will get addressed at some point in the future. But it won't stop the young edge rusher from being eligible to play in the final two games of the regular season and the playoffs.
That's what matters.
Is it in Gregory's best interests to become eligible without being able to practice or to get two weeks of reps with the team beforehand?