The slow wheels of the NFL disciplinary system may favor the Cowboys. Randy Gregory’s appeal of his year-long suspension won’t be until January, at the earliest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. That means he’ll almost certainly be on the field for at least the start of the playoffs. 
Initially suspended for the bulk of the 2016 season, his latest slip-up threatened to keep him out of the game for the rest of this campaign and the majority of the 2017 season. However, he’ll be permitted to play while the appeals process plays out.
Of course, not every player benefits from the current system that is in place. Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith is still in limbo although he has been eligible for reinstatement for some time now. Smith, understandably, is frustrated with how things have played out, though it is possible that he has not satisfied all of the parameters of the league’s substance abuse program requirements.
Next up for the Cowboys is a Monday night showdown against the Lions. If they win, they’ll clinch the division and a first-round bye.