To say things are messy between Randy Gregory, the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL would be a gross understatement.

The currently suspended defensive end was slated to return to practice two weeks prior to his official game eligibility on Dec. 18, but was vetoed in the witching hour by the NFL -- who claims Gregory was 'not in compliance' with the terms of the agreement that would have permitted him to return to the practice field.

It caught the Cowboys completely off guard, and as it stands Gregory continues to wait for a green light. One that doesn't seem to be on the way as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admits he isn't even aware of the details of the case.

“I don’t know the specifics with the Cowboys’ issue,” Goodell said Wednesday, via Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I had not heard that. So I don’t have an answer for you, but we’ll get it for you.”

Gregory is hoping to return from a 14-game suspension levied against him by the league for violation of the substance abuse policy and has recently failed another screening which has him facing a one-year ban from professional football.

The Cowboys are an insane 11-1 after escaping the Minnesota Vikings! Don’t miss any breaking news, take a second to sign up for our FREE Cowboys newsletter!

The Cowboys have yet to issue an official statement on the latest transgression, however, owner Jerry Jones simply states Gregory is the team's 'ugly baby' and they'll not give up on him.

The 24-year-old missed part of his rookie season due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the first game of the year. He had flourished during preseason games, but was never able to regain his form after the injury.

Gregory was the Cowboys' second-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former Nebraska linebacker/defensive was once thought of as a sure top-10 pick until his stocked dropped after he tested positive for marijuana at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

Gregory said he blamed himself for the failed test last year before the draft. Every team in the league feared Gregory's presumed addiction and he fell to 60th overall where the Cowboys selected him.

The pass rusher played in 12 games for the Cowboys last season and collected just 11 combined tackles.

Dallas is still desperate for a pass rush and would like to add Gregory to the fold immediately as his 14-game ban is set to expire on Monday, Dec. 19, but if Goodell doesn't know the details of the case less than a week ahead of that date -- it doesn't bode well.

Stay tuned.