'Pacman' reinstated, but can't play
Associated Press
The NFL is giving Adam "Pacman" Jones another chance.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said yesterday 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."
VIKINGS
DE ALLEN WON'T BACK OFF FOLLOWING ANOTHER FINE
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has been fined $25,000 for a recent spate of late hits, but he won't be suspended.
He's not planning to reduce his aggressiveness, either.
After his summons to NFL headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Allen returned to the Vikings' camp to continue resting and rehabilitating his sprained right shoulder. He vowed his approach to pass rushing would not change, even though he's been fined a total of $80,000 this season — over three separate levies — for what the league has deemed unacceptable contact during games.
"Not at all. I will play football the way I play football, and that's the way it is," Allen said after yesterday's practice, in which he did not participate due to his injury. "I'm not a dirty player. I never have been. I play hard football, and that's the bottom line."
ELSEWHERE
Bengals: Cincinnati placed receiver Antonio Chatman on injured reserve, three days after he suffered a neck injury (pinched nerve) during a 13-13 tie with the Eagles. Chatman was hit hard and tackled around the neck by safety Quintin Mikell after he made a catch, causing him to fumble.
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay's leading rusher Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right ankle during last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Graham limped off the field after his only carry against the Vikings. The Bucs said he hurt his ankle, but did not release specifics about the injury.
Colts: Indianapolis put tight end Tom Santi and cornerback Nick Graham on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Santi made two starts this season but missed the last three games with a shoulder injury. Graham played in the last four games after signing as a free agent. He hurt his left ankle during Sunday's victory over Houston.
Saints: New Orleans' struggling ground game took another hit when tailback Aaron Stecker (hamstring) was put on injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season. Joining him on the sidelines is tight end Mark Campbell, who sustained a season-ending injury to his left knee in Sunday's win at Kansas City.
Seahawks: Seattle placed Patrick Kerney on injured reserve, ending the season for the team's top pass rusher. Kerney had shoulder surgery earlier this month. He injured it in a win at San Francisco on Oct. 26. It's the same left shoulder on which Kerney had surgery last offseason to repair cartilage damage.