IRVING, Texas (AP) -Adam ``Pacman'' Jones did what he had to do to get back into the NFL for real. He stayed out of trouble.
The cornerback-kick returner was fully reinstated Thursday from his 17-month NFL suspension, which followed an accumulation of arrests and legal problems, and is clear to play for the Dallas Cowboys during the regular season.
``This is another step in the process,'' Jones in a statement released by the team. ``I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I understand my responsibilities to the Dallas Cowboys and the National Football League. Right now I just want to keep working hard so I can accomplish the goals that I have set for myself both on and off the field.''
Since being cleared almost three months ago by commissioner Roger Goodell to practice with the Cowboys, who acquired the cornerback from Tennessee, Jones had repeatedly expressed confidence that he would be reinstated for the regular season and said he was doing everything expected of him.
Still, there was a sense of relief when he got the official news.
``There's no sure thing in life. It's nice to finally get the affirmation for all the hard work he's put in,'' Jones' agent and attorney, Manny Arora, said after speaking to his client. ``The rest is up to him. It's time to play football. He's a very motivated player.''
And a player that has to continue to stay out of trouble to stay in the NFL.
``I think he's matured greatly through this,'' Arora said. ``He has a good head on his shoulders. He should be fine.''
Jones has been arrested six times and involved in a dozen incidents requiring police intervention since the Titans drafted him in the first round in 2005. His last NFL game was Dec. 31, 2006.
Jones was suspended in April 2007 and missed all last season with the Titans. He was traded to Dallas in April, then allowed in June by Goodell to join the team in training camp and preseason games.
Goodell, however, was still waiting to decide whether to let Jones play in the regular season. That news came Thursday, hours before Dallas' final preseason game.
``Adam has worked hard to get to this point, but he also knows that there is still a lot of work ahead of him,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. ``He is fully aware of the opportunity that he has been given, and he knows that this is an ongoing process.''
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail that Goodell wouldn't have a comment Thursday regarding the reinstatement.
Two weeks ago, Jones sent a letter to Goodell asking to be cleared for the regular season, and saying he would stay out of trouble.
``I think from the beginning there were a lot of critics saying that this couldn't be done, that he couldn't turn his life around,'' Arora said. ``I'm very happy for Adam. He's proven everyone wrong. He's got a very bright personal and professional future.''
Jones played in the first three preseason games, making his first start for the Cowboys last Friday. He was at left corner in place of injured Pro Bowler Terence Newman after rookie Mike Jenkins started the first two games. Jones had eight tackles and a pass deflection in those three games.
Newman (groin) is expected to be back for the Sept. 7 opener at Cleveland, but Jones will still be a prominent player on passing downs and special teams. Jones had punt returns of 18 and 24 yards during the preseason, and coach Wade Phillips said this week that he was considering Jones for kickoff returns because of injuries in that spot.
The Cowboys had been operating under the assumption that Jones would indeed be reinstated for the season. Jones' involvement in different schemes increased throughout camp as he got comfortable in the system.
After Jones first joined the team for practice in June, he said he had owned up to his bad decisions and was focused on the future and getting back into the game and more than a year off the field.
``Being human, it changed him a lot. It was a very difficult process to go through,'' Arora said. ``He took responsibility for everything and overcame it.''
