Nfl Lifts 1-Year Suspension For Cowboys’ Lineman Lett

Leon Lett can return next week from a one-year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, the league announced Monday.

The star defensive lineman can practice with the Dallas Cowboys beginning next Monday and will be eligible to play in the team’s home game a week from Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

“Leon Lett of the Dallas Cowboys has been notified by commissioner Paul Tagliabue that his application for reinstatement to the National Football League has been reviewed and approved,” the NFL wrote in a two-paragraph statement.

The move was not unexpected as Lett was suspended Dec. 3, 1996, for violating the league’s drug policy for a second time. His first suspension kept him off the field for four games in 1995. At the time, he was told another violation would lead to a minimum one-year suspension without pay.

Mike Ditka isn’t going anywhere. After hinting at retirement, Ditka said he intends to coach the New Orleans Saints “as long as they’ll have me.”

“I signed a three-year contract in February,” the 58-year-old Ditka said. “I plan to fulfill that contract and, God willing, hopefully beyond that.”