CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) — Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was reinstated by the National Football League on Monday after missing the 2006 and 2007 seasons for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The league-imposed two-year banishment was ended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, allowing Thurman to return for training sessions in May and June.
"Odell has met the NFL's conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our offseason roster," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said.
"It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."
Goodell suspended Thurman for four games in July of 2006 but stretched the ban into a season-long one after Thurman was arrested September 25 on a drunk driving charge.
The reasons behind not reinstating Thurman for yet another season were not revealed under the league substance abuse policy guidelines.
Thurman was allowed to work out at club facilities in January but he has not played in an NFL game since 2005, when he made a team-high 148 tackles, forced four fumbles and led all NFL rookies with five interceptions.
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