Henley Can Play in NFL : Pro football: Former Ram cornerback, who faces drug charges, is considered a free agent.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue notified the Rams on Monday that cornerback Darryl Henley, who is awaiting a Jan. 10 trial for cocaine possession and conspiring to distribute cocaine, has been reinstated for the 1994 season.

Said Ram President John Shaw: “I think it means he is a free agent, and I would think we would have an interest in him.”

Henley, a starting cornerback for the Rams who played for UCLA, requested a leave of absence after the fifth game last season when his legal problems became public.

The Rams paid Henley his entire $600,000 salary for the season.

“We would like him back,” Coach Chuck Knox said. “If he’s cleared by the commissioner, he’s free to come back.”

Tagliabue’s ruling, which came in response to Henley’s July 28 request to resume playing, was made “without prejudice,” and allows Henley to join any team in the league once a contract has been signed. The commissioner reserved the right to change his ruling if “trial results are not favorable.”

The Seattle Seahawks are known to be seeking cornerbacks, but the Rams believe they have the inside edge in working out a deal with Henley. Henley has been a visitor at Rams Park several times in the past few months.

Marvin Demoff, Henley’s agent, has been in Barcelona with the Raiders and Denver Broncos and could not be reached for comment Monday.

Drug enforcement agents have alleged that Henley used his Brea home as a distribution point for a national narcotics network. A federal grand jury indicted Henley and five others; Henley pleaded not guilty to charges of cocaine possession and cocaine distribution.

Tracy Donaho, a former Ram cheerleader who was also indicted, pleaded guilty and has agreedto cooperate with the prosecution.