Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence was handed a four-game suspension in April for violating the league's substance policy, but will appeal the suspension in hopes of having the number of games reduced.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Thursday morning on 105.3 FM The Fan that Lawrence's suspension is currently in the NFL's appeals process.

"It's under appeal," Jones said, according to Clarence E. Hill of the Dallas Star-Telegram. "And it's very similar to the (Orlando Scandrick) situation there when it (was) reduced from four to two. But I wouldn't want to be presumptuous. It's under consideration. You don't want to tell them what to do. Let them look at all the facts and the entire situation which is what is required and will be done and then maybe we can get a reduction."

With fellow defensive end Randy Gregory also currently suspended for the opening four games of the 2016 season, the Cowboys' pass rush looks weak to start the season.

Lawrence had eight sacks last season, so if his suspension is reduced, it'd be a big boost for Dallas. The team signed Benson Mayowa in free agency, re-signed Jack Crawford, and drafted Charles Tapper in the fourth round, but none are impact players on the level of Lawrence.

"I am concerned about not having those two talented players at end," Jones said. "When you have issues it turns into numbers as well. If you start having problems with guard you may end up having three guards with problems, not necessarily suspension problems but injury problems. That type of thing. And it seems like it runs that way and it hit us that way. I do have a lot of confidence we will by rotation, by numbers, by moving some guys ... just the nature of the way defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli likes to to coach the defense. I think we got a good chance to have really acceptable pressure, acceptable defensive-line play."