'Pacman' is fully reinstated

Cowboys CB set for regular season

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 yesterday 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 said in a statement released by the team in Irving, Texas. "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's 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 who 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 of 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.

Colts' Saturday out
The agent for Jeff Saturday said the Colts center will likely miss the first six weeks of the season and possibly more if he has surgery on ligament damage in his right knee, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Saturday, who has started 59 straight games since 2004, damaged the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in a preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.

His agent, Ralph Cindrich, said the Pro Bowl center will miss a good chunk of the season and even longer if he chooses to have the injury surgically repaired, according to the report.

In other Colts news, coach Tony Dungy finally gave a definitive answer on Peyton Manning's status after Indianapolis wrapped up the preseason with a 27-7 loss to the Bengals last night. "I would be shocked if he's not there [a week from] Sunday," Dungy said.

"He would have to have a dramatic setback. Right now, every step we've taken has been good."

Williams walks
For the first time since injuring his neck and spine last week, Texans receiver Harry Williams walked by himself.

Houston television station KRIV reported that Williams walked by himself yesterday morning at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

He suffered a cracked vertebrae and severe ligament damage in his neck Aug. 22 during an exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Williams told the station, "I started walking today. I brushed my own teeth today, sat up in a chair today, fed myself today.

"I'm doing good, man."

Doctors say it's unlikely he'll play football again, something the 26-year-old says he accepts.

Ryan leads Falcons
Matt Ryan used the final preseason game to get a feel for being the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback. Joe Flacco hoped his performance showed why he should start for the Baltimore Ravens.

In a game featuring the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2008 NFL draft, Ryan and the Falcons got the better of Flacco and the Ravens, 10-9, at Baltimore.

Ryan, the third overall pick, went 2 for 7 for 17 yards before taking a seat.

The former Boston College star finished the preseason 34 for 59 for 294 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His next start will be in the regular-season opener Sept. 7 against Detroit.

"I prepared really hard during the course of training camp and during the duration of the preseason. I feel like I'm prepared and ready to go for next week," Ryan said.

Flacco, the 18th player selected in the draft, was 8 for 13 for 72 yards.

Brown finds form
Ronnie Brown, returning from a thumb injury, rushed 12 times for 47 yards and powered his way into the end zone on a 1-yard run to help the Dolphins win their third straight preseason contest, 14-10, over the Saints at New Orleans. Jeremy Shockey was a late scratch for New Orleans. Shockey, trying to recover from a broken left leg, will enter the regular season without having played a down for his new team in the preseason . . . Brady Quinn completed 7 of 9 passes for 65 yards in two series in host Cleveland's 16-10 loss to Chicago. It was Quinn's second straight strong start in place of starter Derek Anderson, who sustained a concussion 10 days ago. Anderson is expected back at practice Monday.