Cowboys Welcome Irvin Back

Wide receiver Michael Irvin resumed practicing with the Dallas Cowboys after a five-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

“The guys were happy to see me, but I was more happy to see them,” Irvin said of the 2-3 Cowboys. “When I came in, we did some laughing and joking.”

Irvin is in good shape and will start Oct. 13 when the Cowboys play host to the Arizona Cardinals. Dallas has an open date this weekend. Irvin pleaded no-contest to felony cocaine possession charges in July.

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San Francisco 49er quarterback Elvis Grbac was unable to practice Thursday because of back spasms.

Grbac was supposed to start Sunday at St. Louis, his second consecutive appearance in place of ailing Steve Young, but his pain worsened, preventing him from taking the field.

Young, who sat out last week’s 39-17 victory over Atlanta while recuperating from a groin strain, was taking snaps in practice along with third-stringer Jeff Brohm.

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Former Super Bowl most valuable player Mark Rypien agreed to a one-year contract to become the Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback. The deal could reportedly earn him $1 million with incentives. Ty Detmer became the Eagles’ starter when Rodney Peete suffered a season-ending knee injury Monday.