NFL report: Cowboys’ Randy Gregory suspended another year for violating substance-abuse policy

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory has been suspended for at least a year Thursday after another violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

It’s the third time this season Gregory has been suspended. The first was a four-game ban, followed by 10 games on top of that. The latest suspension makes him ineligible for the playoffs, which start Jan. 15 for Dallas, the top seed in the NFC.

The suspension is for one calendar year, meaning Gregory could be eligible for the playoffs without another violation if the Cowboys make it again next season.

Gregory played the final two games of his second regular season, recording the first sack of his career in the finale against Philadelphia.

The 24-year-old former Nebraska standout slid to the second round of the 2015 draft over off-field concerns that included a positive test for marijuana at the NFL combine.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said he intends to support Gregory, but the latest ban raises doubt as to whether he will be on the Dallas roster when he is eligible to return. He only has one full season remaining in 2018 under his four-year rookie contract, and it won’t cost the Cowboys much to cut him.

Etc.

Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill (knee) was ruled out of the Dolphins’ playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday. Backup Matt Moore, a 10-year pro who is 2-1 as Tannehill’s replacement, will start for the fourth week in a row. “It felt like it was the right thing to do,” Coach Adam Gase said, “just so we can move on in this week and not play, ‘What are we going to do?’ and focus on what we’re doing right now with Matt.” … Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is having surgery to repair a sports hernia that contributed to a groin injury he sustained this season. The Bills said they were informed on Wednesday of Taylor’s decision to have surgery after he met with William Meyers, a Philadelphia-area-based sports hernia specialist. …

The Washington Redskins have fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry, defensive line coach Robb Akey, defensive backs coach Perry Fewell, and head strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark. Barry spent the last two seasons as the Redskins’ defensive coordinator, and they ranked 28th in the NFL in each of them. … New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said he understands the frustration felt by fans after a dismal 5-11 season, and urges them to be patient as the team heads into what will likely be a busy off-season. Johnson said Thursday that he believes in both Coach Todd Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan. He retained them because he thinks “they will get this done.” …

Browns rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman has denied being involved in an alleged assault that left a victim hospitalized. Coleman was named in a Cleveland police report following an incident Dec. 31 at a downtown condominium building. According to the report, a witness said a verbal confrontation between a group of four men and a couple getting off an escalator escalated into a physical altercation. The victim awakened after the dispute and did not recognize any of the men, but was told by his female companion that Coleman was the one who assaulted him.