Pacman Jones completes rehab, awaits ruling from NLF

According to his attorney, Worrick Robinson, the Dallas Cowboys’ troubled cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones has completed his league mandated alcohol counseling and has returned to Dallas.  There he’ll await the NFL’s decision on how quickly he’ll be able to resume his NFL career—if he’s allowed to play again at all.

Attorney Robinson gave the following update on his client and his plans for the immediate future:

"I have been in contact with the commissioner's office since last week, and they are reviewing Adam's unique situation. There is no timetable for a decision. He is glad to be back in Dallas. Adam is feeling good about himself and his ability to contribute if allowed to return, but he has used these several days to focus on his personal issues. But he's anxious to return to his friends and family with the Cowboys. I'm cautiously optimistic because he has done everything he was asked to do by the league and his treatment providers."

Jones’ latest transgression was a booze fueled scrap with his own bodyguard in a Dallas area strip club.  Pacman headed to rehab following his “indefinite” suspension and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that his status would be reviewed after four games.  Dallas’ win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday was the fourth, and like clockwork Pacman returned from a Boston area rehab facility immediately thereafter. 

According to league officials, any potential reinstatement of Jones would be stipulated on his strict and continued compliance with a league approved alcohol treatment program and evaluation by what the league describes as “clinical professionals”.   On Monday, league officials indicated that nothing new on Jones’ status would be immediately forthcoming from the NFL.

When asked about Pacman’s potential return, Cowboys’ coach Wade Phillips sounded less than enthusiastic:

"As far as I'm concerned right now, he's gone. We're preparing the players I have. … If it turns out that he does come back and he is ready, I'll prepare that."

His comments echo recent statements by team owner Jerry Jones, who indicated that while Dallas would welcome Pacman in the event of his reinstatement the team is pessimistic that he’ll be allowed to resume his NFL career anytime soon.  In the meantime, Pacman’s attorney continued to do his job and spin on his client’s behalf:

"He is staying true to his program, but he is also a 25-year-old young man who is a professional football player and he would like to return to his family, which is the Cowboys. He and I have had several discussions that the only thing he can control is what he's doing and how he's addressing his personal issues, and the rest of that is out of his control."

The league has provided no specific timetable for a ruling on Pacman’s reinstatement, only suggesting that it’ll be within “a matter of days”.