The Dallas Cowboys could be without Greg Hardy for half the season if his suspension holds up and the defensive end reportedly will fight his ban if it's more than two games according to a recent report and this comes as rookies Randy Gregory, La'el Collins and Byron Jones are pushing to contribute this season by putting up strong work in training camp.
The Cowboys signed Hardy in the offseason and he was later suspended for 10 games by the NFL for violation the Personal Conduct Policy. According to Pro Football Talk, sources have reported that Hardy plans on fighting the decision on his suspension appeal if the ban is more "more than a two-game suspension." Hardy reportedly feels that he should be punished under the "policy in place at the time" of his incident, which could mean a two game suspension.
UPDATE: Greg Hardy suspension reduced to four games. Check here for details.
Pro Football Talk reports that the NFLPA and Hardy think that the NFL put the news rules on Hardy and those rules were made in response to the Ray Rice situation. Hardy and his camp think he should be punished under the old rules. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report wrote last week that Hardy is "losing some of his will to fight", but this new report could be more accurate to what Hardy is thinking. Cole writes that Hardy could "accept a reduced suspension to six or eight games" from the original ban. Either way the Cowboys need Hardy, as they were one of the worst teams rushing the passer last season.
Losing Hardy for any amount of time would be tough, but losing him for 10 games instead of eight, six four or two is very significant. Hardy previously was placed on the exempt list and he later "faced no criminal liability" after the alleged victim did not participate in the jury trial stemming from his assault case. Hardy comes in after putting up one sack in one game last season and the previous two years he combined to record 26 sacks for the Panthers, which was about as many as the Cowboys had last season.
Hardy being out has one advantage, as rookie Randy Gregory could get the chance to start in his place. Gregory slipped in the draft due to off the field issues and now he could end up starting when Hardy is suspended, if it hold up. According to the Dallas Morning News, Gregory is "expected" to start for the Cowboys at right end until Hardy can return to the lineup. The Cowboys have been impressed with Gregory this offseason and he reportedly has "bulked up" to help him play end in the NFL.
The Cowboys also have La'el Collins and Byron Jones as potential starters and they could get looks in training camp with the first team units. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Collins, who was signed as an undrafted free agent after being a potential first rounder, could end up starting, as he got time in OTAs in place of the injured Doug Free. Collins was reportedly lined up in multiple positions through the offseason. Jones was also impressive in camp and he could push Morris Claiborne to get playing time on the depth chart at corner after being a first round pick.
Check here for more on Hardy fighting his suspension and the Cowboys training camp.