New York Jets running back Leon Washington returned to the team yesterday after boycotting practice the past three weeks while in a contract dispute.

Washington, selected for his first Pro Bowl last season as a kick returner, was back on the field to start New York's final week of team activities. Agent Alvin Keels wrote on his Twitter page that Washington returned "while we continue to work on a contract extension for him. A move of good faith."

Washington is due to earn $535,000 this season, the final year of his rookie deal. He's believed to be looking for about $6 million a year, similar to deals that Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew and San Diego's Darren Sproles have received.

Washington, 26, has rushed for 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns, and caught 108 passes for 838 yards and two scores in his first three seasons. He has also returned four kickoffs for touchdowns.

"Leon is excited about finishing the offseason program off strong," Keels wrote, "and is very much 'hopeful' that we can come to terms on a fair market deal."

Pro Bowl running back Thomas Jones, who returned last week while sitting out all of the team's offseason workouts, was also at practice yesterday.

Jones rushed for an AFC-leading 1,312 yards last season.

LABOR PAINS

GOODELL SAYS NO TIMETABLE FOR DEAL

Headed into contact talks with the players' union, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says there is no timetable to reach a new agreement.

Goodell and the owners will meet with the NFL Players Association tomorrow in East Rutherford, N.J., to begin negotiations, although the initial session is expected to deal with procedural questions.

The collective bargaining agreement expires after the draft in 2011. But if the two sides don't reach an agreement by next March, the final year of the agreement calls for an uncapped year, something that has not happened since free agency and a salary cap were instituted in the 1993 contract.

"We are not focused on that," Goodell said after a news conference at the Meadowlands concerning the new stadium being built by the Jets and Giants.

"We are focused on getting an agreement that works for the long term. We're not specifically setting any deadlines or dates. Our issue is we know we have two more years of football. We would like to have an agreement that works for everybody in that period of time."

Goodell will be at the meeting, but Jeff Pash, the NFL's attorney, will be the league's lead negotiator. The union recently selected DeMaurice Smith to succeed the late Gene Upshaw as executive director.

Under the old system, teams had to pay at least 80 percent of the salary cap. In an uncapped year, they could spend as much or as little as they want.

ELSEWHERE

Cardinals: Arizona general manager Rod Graves says he looks forward to working with Anquan Boldin's new agent, Tom Condon.

Condon has not confirmed multiple reports he was hired by Boldin, but Graves ended any doubt with his comments after the Cardinals practiced yesterday.

"I look forward to working with him on this deal whenever we can get the opportunity to concentrate on it," Graves said.

Boldin, embroiled in a long contract fight with the Cardinals, fired Drew Rosenhaus.

Lions: Detroit signed offensive tackle Jon Jansen.

The Lions said Jansen passed his physical yesterday and was signed after the team cut tackle George Foster earlier in the day.

Jansen was cut by the Washington Redskins on Friday.

Eagles: Philadelphia added former Dallas defensive coordinator Brian Stewart to its coaching staff.

Stewart will be a special assistant to the defense, working primarily with the secondary.