Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The NFL is giving Adam "Pacman" Jones another chance.

Coming back: Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, who was suspended by the NFL last month, was reinstated by the league on Wednesday. AP PHOTO

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday the suspended cornerback has been reinstated by league commissioner Roger Goodell, but he must miss two more games — this Sunday and the following game on Thanksgiving. He'll be back Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh.

"He much appreciates the Cowboys and Jerry Jones for standing behind him and encouraging him, and he's grateful to the commissioner," said Worrick Robinson, Adam Jones' Nashville-based attorney.

Jerry Jones would not reveal any conditions the commissioner may have imposed and the league office said it would not have any immediate comment. However, Robinson, said, "He knows what he has to do. It's very clear."

"He's a long way, a long way from having clear sailing," Jerry Jones said.

Adam Jones was suspended from the entire 2007 season because of multiple incidents while with the Tennessee Titans. Over the offseason, he was traded to Dallas and then given another chance by Goodell.

The Cowboys gave him a security team to help keep him in line, but on Oct. 7, Jones got into an alcohol-related scuffle with one of the bodyguards during a private party at a Dallas hotel.

Jones spent part of his time away undergoing alcohol rehabilitation.

"He has demonstrated something very important to all of us," Jerry Jones said.

It also will be up to Pacman to police himself. The Cowboys will no longer be providing bodyguards.

"It all starts with him and his decision-making," Robinson said. "He's comfortable making decisions for himself."

Robinson said the alcohol therapy was "something he needed to do."

"The real issue was more than allegations of an incident at a Dallas hotel," Robinson said. "There were personal issues that, until addressed, there was a likelihood of another incident occurring."

Jerry Jones said Adam Jones can have "limited participation" this week, but would not be part of full-squad practices or conditioning. He can return to practice Monday.

Goodell suspended Adam Jones indefinitely on Oct. 14, saying he would put a time frame on it after the cornerback missed at least four games. This decision means it will be a six-game suspension.

Jones also missed the entire 2007 season. By the time he returns, he will have been suspended from 22 of a possible 28 games.

Jones still leads the Cowboys with 11 passes defensed; nobody else has more than five. His 27 tackles are second-best among defensive backs. He also has forced a fumble and recovered one.

TEMPE , Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals declined to consider releasing Edgerrin James when the running back's agent inquired about the possibility, the team's general manager said Wednesday.

Rod Graves said he received a call from agent Drew Rosenhaus three weeks ago after James was benched in favor of rookie Tim Hightower and didn't play a down in Arizona's 34-13 victory at St. Louis.

According to Graves, Rosenhaus asked if the team would consider releasing James "and we declined it as a consideration."

"I explained to him that we still saw Edgerrin as a valuable member of our football team," Graves said.

Rosenhaus has told several news outlets that he asked for James' release, but Graves said, "I don't know that it was that strong."

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