Pacman Can Join Workouts in Dallas

As it stands today, Adam "Pacman" Jones can join the Dallas Cowboys for everything but the regular season.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he would decide by Sept. 1 whether to fully end Jones' suspension, which wiped out the entire 2007 season when he was with the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys play their opener Sept. 7 in Cleveland.

"Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," the league wrote in a statement. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established for him by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement."

Jones could be in action as soon as Tuesday, the team's next organized practice.

Jones was an elite cornerback and kick returner in his first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, but an accumulation of arrests and legal problems - including his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club - led to his suspension without pay on April 10, 2007.

In total, he's been arrested six times and has been involved in 12 incidents requiring police intervention since being drafted.

The Cowboys traded draft picks for Jones in April and gave him a restructured contract that minimizes their risk. The trade includes contingency plans if Jones never plays for Dallas.

Jones and Goodell met in Atlanta on May 21, and Jones apparently said enough to help his case. It's also possible the commissioner is counting on the Cowboys and their player development staff to keep him in check. The team helped Tank Johnson return from a similar suspension last season and has successfully dealt with other troubled players.

"This limited reinstatement is a step in the process," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "Adam is aware of the things that need to be done in order to take the next step."

Jones moved to Dallas recently and already has been hanging out with teammates and working out in the area. He's also started bonding with Johnson, both knowing they are down to their last chance with the NFL.

"The important thing is getting him here and getting him acclimated," Johnson said. "I have told him you are a good kid, we know you and we're looking forward to having you on the team and we're excited about you proving everybody wrong."

The Cowboys could use another good cornerback, but they're not hanging their hopes on Jones, having spent a first-round pick on Michael Jenkins. Jenkins and fellow first-rounder Felix Jones also can handle kick returns if Pacman isn't around - or even if he is.