Report: Cowboys' Lawrence facing 4-game suspension

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy, sources told David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

The suspension is for amphetamine use, ESPN's Jean-Jacques Taylor and Todd Archer report, citing a source.

Lawrence and his representatives can challenge the NFL's decision, and the Cowboys haven't been contacted about the imminent sanction, Moore reports. Previously, Lawrence was fined four games for a previous substance abuse violation, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The 24-year-old defensive end is the second Cowboys player to face a four-game ban for a substance abuse violation, with fellow defensive end Randy Gregory suspended in February.

Lawrence emerged as a vital component of the Cowboys' defense in 2015, recording 55 tackles and a team-high eight sacks.

With both Gregory and Lawrence slated to miss a quarter of the season, the Cowboys are more likely to select an edge-rusher with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.