COWBOYS
Gregory’s appeal nixed
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the National Football League Players Association pulled Randy Gregory's appeal of his 10-game suspension, deciding the defensive end's case didn't have merit.
Thus, Gregory will serve an additional 10-game suspension, keeping him off the field for the first 14 games this season.
"He didn't," Jones said during his radio program Tuesday when asked why Gregory pulled his appeal. "The Players Association did. You have to have the support of the Players Association or it's hopeless. They felt that legally -- technically legally -- that he didn't have an appeal and that decision was made there. He does certainly have issues. The way the CBA is, the way collective bargaining is, it boxed him out having any merit to his appeal. This is the information that I got from the Players Association."
The NFLPA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The NFL suspended Gregory for the first four games of this season in February for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Another violation resulted in an additional 10-game suspension, which Gregory appealed.
Gregory only returned to the team last week after spending all of training camp and the first week of the season in a treatment center out of state.
Gregory can attend meetings and work out at the Cowboys' facility while under suspension, but he can't practice.
The Cowboys spent a second-round pick on the defensive end last year despite knowing Gregory's affinity for marijuana. Gregory tested positive at the Scouting Combine, which is why he was available for the Cowboys with the 60th overall pick.
Gregory sprained his ankle in the season opener last season, missed four games and had no sacks in the 12 games he played. Now, he will miss at least the first 14 games this season for violating the league's substance abuse policy five times since leaving Nebraska.
"I really don't want to hindsight. I know where we picked him," Jones said on his radio show. "We thought we would have a real good (pass-rusher) last year, and unfortunately he got hurt early and that set us back. So if you look at the amount of play time that we've gotten out of a second-round pick, then I would say that it's not been good.
"But ultimately if we can have him on the field, which rightfully would be questioned, if we can have him on the field, then it would be an outstanding pick. Not having (DeMarcus) Lawrence out there right now plus him, that's left us short-handed. We'll have to adjust. That's what we do. That's the nature of the NFL."
GIANTS
Hart, Beatty to compete
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With Marshall Newhouse’s status uncertain because of a calf injury, Bobby Hart and Will Beatty will have a competition this week to determine the New York Giants’ starting right tackle against the Washington Redskins.
Newhouse was hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 16-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints and Hart replaced him.
Coach Ben McAdoo said that Newhouse probably won’t be able to practice in the early part of the week, and his status for the game is up in the air. Newhouse had a walking boot on Tuesday.
A second-year pro, Hart has started one game for the Giants (2-0), playing right tackle against the Jets in December.
Beatty is far more experienced, but he also is just getting into game shape. The Giants’ second-round draft pick in 2009 was released in February after missing the 2015 season with injuries and he was not re-signed until Aug. 30.
While he has 63 starts at tackle, he did not see any preseason action and has been inactive in the first two games of the season.
BEARS
Injuries pile up
Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lamarr Houston suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee and nose tackle Eddie Goldman is expected to miss at least four weeks with a high left ankle sprain, sources told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday.
The Bears won't set a firm timeline for Goldman's return but are targeting the Oct. 20 game in Green Bay.
Meanwhile, defensive backs Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan remain in the concussion protocol, and backup safety Chris Prosinski has a bruised calf.
If you're keeping track, that's significant injury problems across all three levels of the defense. The Bears already were thin at safety, outside linebacker and defensive tackle.
Coach John Fox was asked Tuesday if the latest wave of injuries had him shaken.
"Not really," he said. "I've always been of the belief that tough times don't last, tough people do. And injuries are a part of that."
CHARGERS
RB McCluster signs
Dexter McCluster, the running back who spent the past two seasons with San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee, signed with the club Tuesday. Between his familiarity with the Chargers' scheme and AFC West, the team anticipates him to acclimate quickly.
McCluster, 28, could be active Sunday in Indianapolis.
While not considered a magic replacement to the injured Danny Woodhead, McCluster is in a similar mold as someone who, at times, moves like a wide receiver.
He spent the first four seasons of his pro career with the Chiefs as a 2010 second-round pick from Mississippi.
McCluster has 247 career carries for 1,040 yards and two touchdowns. He's been just as productive as a receiver, logging 229 receptions for 1,957 yards and seven scores. The 5-foot-8 back has special teams experience, too; he's returned 125 career punts and 65 kickoffs.
McCluster's background, particularly with Whisenhunt, made him the player the Chargers targeted all along after Woodhead tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Sunday. The injury came during the first quarter of a 38-14 victory over the Jaguars.
Sports on 09/21/2016