Somber Irvin Returns to Cowboys

After spending three weeks away from football and the spotlight after a no contest plea to cocaine possession, Michael Irvin rejoined the Dallas Cowboys at training camp in Austin, Texas.

It was a somber Irvin who drove onto the field in a golf cart with Emmitt Smith amid cheers from fans.

Within minutes of stepping on the field, however, Irvin was catching passes with fluid ease. He was also counseling rookie receiver Stepfret Williams on pass routes, and, of course, there was the trash talk.

After practice, Irvin spoke to the media, saying he wouldn’t answer personal questions.

Irvin, who can play but will not during the exhibition season, was suspended by the NFL for the first five regular-season games.

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The San Francisco 49ers, whose special teams units ranked 29th in the NFL last season, placed an emphasis on improving punts and kickoffs and kick returns, but training camp injuries have left the team scrambling for a long snapper and punt returner.

Injuries have sidelined the team’s top three long snappers, including Randy Kirk (broken finger), signed as a free agent solely because of his expertise as a snapper. Return specialists Dexter Carter (hamstring) and rookie Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (separate shoulder) also have been knocked out by injuries.

Nate Singleton and Chris Thomas will return punts in Saturday’s exhibition against the San Diego Chargers.

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Atlanta quarterback Jeff George agreed to a one-year, $3.64-million contract and reported to camp. . . . The San Francisco 49ers waived running back Russell White and signed running back Reynard Rutherford. . . . Running back Leeland McElroy, Arizona’s No. 2 draft pick, signed a three-year contract and was expected to report to training camp today. . . . New York Giant running back Tyrone Wheatley has a stress fracture in his right leg and may be forced to sit out two weeks. . . . Gus Frerotte will start at quarterback for the Washington Redskins against the Detroit Lions Friday in his battle to win the job from Heath Shuler.