Irvin Will Return Thursday

When the Dallas Cowboys return to practice Thursday, Michael Irvin will be there.

The wide receiver’s five-game suspension by the NFL over his involvement in a drug and sex scandal ended with the Cowboys’ 23-19 victory over Philadelphia on Monday night. Dallas has a bye this weekend.

Asked Tuesday if Irvin will be an immediate starter against Arizona on Oct. 13, Coach Barry Switzer laughed and said “the minute he walks out there we’re going to throw to him.”

“We get an emotional lift when he’s around,” Switzer said. “He’s a great competitor.”

Switzer said the victory over Philadelphia and the return of Irvin “could be the turning point of the season. I think we can win some games now. We’re a pretty good team. You don’t look at the record (2-3). You look at the long season we still have ahead.”

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Philadelphia Eagle Coach Ray Rhodes says he’ll consider all legitimate quarterback prospects, including retired Randall Cunningham, in his effort to replace injured Rodney Peete.

Rhodes, however, said Ty Detmer, Peete’s backup, will remain the starter. Peete suffered a season-ending torn patella tendon in his knee.

“This team can win with Ty Detmer,” Rhodes said. “We’re going to win with him.”

Two other names mentioned were Jeff George, on the trading block after being suspended by the Atlanta Falcons and Mark Rypien, who last played with the St. Louis Rams.

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Washington Redskin center Cory Raymer will be out four weeks after spraining his right knee Sunday against the New York Jets, the team said.

The Redskins also announced the signing of rookie free-agent offensive lineman Christopher Sedoris. To make room for Sedoris, the Redskins waived cornerback Eric Sutton.