FRISCO, Texas --?Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory has won the appeal of his suspension and will be banned for only the first four games of the 2016 season, a source confirmed to ESPNs Dan Graziano on Sunday.The NFL initially announced in February that Gregory would serve a four-game ban for violating its substance abuse policy. But after it was revealed in July that Gregory had violated the policy again (either by failing or missing a test), he was facing the possibility of having the suspension extended to 10 games.The NFL has not yet provided the second-year Cowboys pass-rusher with official notice that his appeal succeeded, a source told ESPNs Ed Werder. Agent Deryk Gilmore filed the appeal, but there was never an actual hearing on the matter, the source said.The Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported Gregorys reduced suspension.A four-game suspension does not mean Gregory will be back with the Cowboys on Oct. 3. The team placed him on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp, and the source told Werder that Gregory continues to receive inpatient treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility.Sources told Werder that Gregorys?latest commitment to sobriety played a significant role in the NFLs decision to keep his suspension to four games.Gregory would be eligible to play Oct. 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who led the Cowboys with eight sacks in 2015, also began his four-game suspension Saturday for violating the substance abuse policy.The Cowboys have remained supportive of Gregory and have a locker for him at The Star, their new practice facility. The Cowboys biggest need remains at pass-rusher, and Lawrence and Gregory would bolster that group.At the 2015 NFL scouting combine, Gregory tested positive for marijuana, which put him in the leagues drug program. Considered a first-round prospect out of Nebraska, he fell to the second round, where the Cowboys selected him with the 60th overall pick.The Cowboys and Gregory agreed that he would have a personal handler with him during the season to help him cope with issues related to anxiety.Gregory played in 12 games as a rookie and did not record a sack. He suffered a high-ankle sprain in the season opener against the New York Giants and missed the next four games. Cowboys coaches credited him with 11 tackles and 16 quarterback pressures to go along with one tackle for loss.Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain will miss the first 10 games of the season for violating the substance abuse policy, but his return to the team at all seems unlikely. Sam Mills Womens Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Sam Mills Youth Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Chauncey-Gardner-Johnson-Saints-Jersey/ . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Cameron Jordan Youth Jersey . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Marcus Williams Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Our panel of NFL Insiders breaks down the leagues best -- and most surprising -- defenses, along with the units that will bounce back from a sluggish start to the season.Are the Vikings now the leagues top defensive team?Matt Bowen, NFL writer: The Vikings continue to make quarterbacks panic, and they are wrecking offensive game plans with versatility, speed and physical play in Mike Zimmers system. After five weeks, this Vikings defense leads the NFL in opposing QBR (29.6), yards per play (4.44) and points allowed per game (12.6). Yes, the Broncos and Seahawks have nasty units. And I wouldnt want to devise game plans against those defenses. But what Ive seeen on film this season tells me its the Vikings.dddddddddddd Zimmers group is dictating the flow of the game from the jump.Dan Graziano, national NFL insider: No. I still have Denver and Seattle ahead of them on depth of talent. Both have guys at all three levels who have shown the ability to sustain this kind of performance for a full season and win championships. Nothing against what Minnesota is doing, but Im leaning toward the two teams that sit near where Minnesota sits in the statistical rankings and have more track record. ' ' '