Suspended Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was given the green light by the National Football League Saturday to resume practising with the team.  The move brings Thurman a step closer reinstatement from an NFL-imposed ban stemming from violations of the league's substance abuse policy. The ban meant Thurman wasn't on the Bengals roster in 2006 or 2007.

Thurman should learn in mid-February whether commissioner Roger Goodell will reinstate him.  Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said that even if the league does reinstate Thurman, he will still have to prove himself to the club.  "If he is reinstated, he will then have to earn the confidence of our management and coaching staff that he is ready to compete for a roster spot as an active member of our team," Lewis said.

Thurman was suspended by the league for the first four games of 2006 after skipping a drug test.  The punishment was extended to a full season following his arrest for drunken driving DUI in September of that year.  Thurman ran afoul of the law again in June when he was accused of assaulting two men in Georgia.

AFP