New Bucs outside linebacker and eight year veteran Randy Gregory is suing in the NFL, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. The suit is for over $500,000 as Randy Gregory is claiming discrimination by the league for being fined over $500,000 last year for taking medicine that had THC in it that helps people with various disabilities.

Randy Gregory was taking Dronabinol, which is a medicine that is a treatment for social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, the report says. The underlying issue in all of this is that while THC is no longer a banned substance by the NFL, players are subjects to fines for positive tests. Gregory began his career with the Cowboys and played for the Broncos in 2022 and four games in the 2023 season before getting traded to the 49ers and playing in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. He then signed with the Bucs this offseason.

Bucs OLB Randy Gregory and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – Photo by: USA Today

According to the Post’s timeline, Randy Gregory was denied twice by the league to use the drug. First was in March of 2023 when requested to be used during non work hours, the second was in a request to be given an therapeutic exemption. He has been fined $532,500 for continuous positive tests of THC.

Gregory has been suspended several times by the NFL for violating their substance abuse policy, including 14 games in the 2016 season, the whole 2017 season, and the first six games of 2020.

Part of the lawsuit states that the league failed to reasonably provide accommodations for his medically diagnosed social anxiety disorder and and post traumatic stress disorder.The former was diagnosed in 2021 while the other was in 2023. The suit was filed in Arapahoe County District Court last week.

This was the statement provided by Randy Gregory’s attorney, Peter Schaffer.

Bucs OLB Randy Gregory – Photo by: USA Today

“This is a serious effort by Randy to push the NFL forward on alternative methods for pain management options,” Schaffer, said. “If a doctor prescribes hydrocodone, that’s completely legal and much worse for the player, yet the player doesn’t get suspended or fined. Randy’s not trying to buck the system, but he’s paying $500,000 in fines for something that anybody else in the state of Colorado can do. All we want is reasonable accommodation to allow Randy to treat his disabilities at the direction of his treating physician.”

For the full article with court documents, check out the whole story from The Denver Post.

Randy Gregory Has A New Start With The Bucs

Bucs OLB Randy Gregory – Photo by: USA Today

While the court proceedings situate itself out, Randy Gregory is onto a new chapter in his NFL career with the Bucs. We’ve yet to see  Gregory in a Bucs uniform as he has not been at OTA practices on the days that are available to the media, but those are optional.

We’ll get to see Randy Gregory this week as the Bucs are holding their mandatory mini-camp from Tuesday, June 11 to June 13 where every player is required to be at practice. Gregory is part of an ensemble cast at outside linebackers as many players will be lobbying for a starting position.

If we are to believe that Yaya Diaby will take one starting role, that leaves Gregory competing with fellow veterans Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson, second year players Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez, and rookie second round pick Chris Braswell. The odds are that the Bucs will have a rotation at outside linebacker as Tampa Bay typically likes to keep their pass rushers fresh. It’s a great opportunity for many of these players as to step up and keep a consistent pass rush going.