Ex-standout Cowboys DE Irving gains reinstatement

The NFL conditionally reinstated former Dallas defensive end David Irving.

The 27-year-old free agent can sign with a team at any time. ESPN reported this month Irving had drawn interest from at least six teams.

Irving announced he was quitting football in March 2019, shortly after the league suspended him indefinitely for violating its substance-abuse policy for a third time in three years. He announced his decision in a video in which he appeared to be smoking marijuana, saying he was walking away in protest for not being allowed to smoke marijuana.

But, with players no longer tested for marijuana use, Irving wants to return to the NFL. He had 12 sacks, 45 quarterback pressures, 11 pass deflections and five forced fumbles in 25 games with the Cowboys from 2015 to 2018.

■ Browns: Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (illness) was kept away from the team’s facility for a second straight day and tested negative for COVID-19 but can’t return to practice until he has a second negative test within a 24-hour period. Also, quarterback Baker Mayfield (ribs) returned to practice as a full participant.

■ Buccaneers: Chris Godwin (questionable, hamstring) practiced fully, Mike Evans (questionable, ankle) was limited, and both wide receivers are expected to play Sunday, coach Bruce Arians said. The status of running back Leonard Fournette (questionable, ankle) will be a gametime decision, Arians said.

■ Lions: Cornerback Desmond Trufant (hamstring) was ruled out for Sunday, tight end Hunter Bryant (hamstring, concussion) was placed on injured reserve, and running back Adrian Peterson (illness) returned to practice as a full participant.

■ Packers: Wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and nose tackle Kenny Clark (groin), Pro Bowl players who have missed multiple games, will be “ready to go” Sunday, coach Matt Lafleur said.

■ Eagles: Right guard Matt Pryor was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, and wide receivers Desean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot) were ruled out for Sunday.

■ Falcons: Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) returned to practice in a limited capacity for the first time in two weeks and hopes to play Sunday.

■ Broncos: Running back Melvin Gordon was sent home from practice with an illness that apparently is not Covid-19-related and is questionable for Sunday.

■ 49ers: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) practiced all week “without limitations” and will start Sunday, coach Kyle Shanahan said.

■ Steelers: Pro Bowl guard David Decastro (abdomen) and wide receiver Diontae Johnson (back) were ruled out for Sunday.

■ Bills: Running back Zack Moss (toe) and wide receiver John Brown (knee), both sidelined in Week 5, practiced fully.

■ Panthers: Center Tyler Larsen, who plays mostly on special teams, was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.

■ Vikings: Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook (groin), the NFL’S leading rusher, was ruled out for Sunday.