IRVING, Texas -- Adam Jones is officially back in the NFL.
The Cowboys put Jones on their 53-man roster Tuesday after the NFL lifted the cornerback's suspension.
Jones missed six games for violating the league's player conduct policy. He previously was suspended for the entire 2007 season while with Tennessee and played in only six games for the Cowboys before the most recent suspension after an alcohol-related scuffle at an upscale Dallas hotel.
The NFL allowed Jones to return to practice last week and said then he would be able to return to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.
The Cowboys cleared a spot on their roster when they put safety Pat Watkins on injured reserve. Watkins has been bothered by a lingering neck injury, and Thursday was the fourth game he missed this season.
Jones started the first six games, and his 11 passes broken up still lead the team in that category, as do his 27 tackles. He also was the main punt returner. The Cowboys went 4-2 with him, and without him.
Jones' suspension in 2007 came after multiple off-field incidents while with the Titans. He was traded to Dallas during the offseason and given another chance by commissioner Roger Goodell.
But on Oct. 7, Jones got into a scuffle with a bodyguard that was part of a team-employed security detail. A week later, Goodell suspended the cornerback indefinitely. Jones spent part of his time away taking part in an alcohol rehabilitation program.
Since rejoining the team for practice last week, Jones hasn't spoken to the media.
Coach Wade Phillips said this week that he expects Jones to play in nickel and dime packages and be involved in returning kicks Sunday. The coach didn't say if Jones would start.
Tank Johnson, whose locker is next to Jones', said the cornerback has seemed like himself at practice.
"Yeah, I mean he's fast, he can cover. He can do all the things on the football field that you ask a man to do," Johnson said Monday. "We're just excited about him coming back and continuing to do better."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
