Cowboys Get Lett Back

While the Dallas Cowboys face the absence of several top offensive players Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, the defense got some good news with the return of tackle Leon Lett.

Lett’s eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy ended Monday night following Dallas’ loss to Minnesota. In that game, the Cowboys had Troy Aikman (concussion) and Emmitt Smith (broken right hand) go down because of injuries.

Aikman is expected to be out at least one week and Smith could miss two to three weeks.

Lett, a two-time Pro Bowl lineman, could play 20-25 snaps Sunday as a backup to starting tackles Alonzo Spellman and Chad Hennings.

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More than a year after a drunken driving accident that killed a 47-year-old woman, St. Louis Ram linebacker Leonard Little was reinstated by the NFL. He could play Sunday against Carolina.

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Philadelphia Eagle rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb will make his first start Sunday against the Washington Redskins. McNabb has played sparingly as Doug Pederson’s backup, completing 22 of 51 passes for 166 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

The Eagles released starting defensive tackle Bill Johnson, denying it was because of an altercation with special teams coach John Harbaugh.

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Quarterback Craig Erickson, waived this spring by the Miami Dolphins, agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears. Coach Dick Jauron said backup quarterback Jim Miller will start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Doctors said MRI results for starter Cade McNown confirmed a sprained ligament in his right knee, while Shane Matthews, the season-opening starter, has a nagging hamstring injury.