A stunning return for Cowboys' Pacman

Adam "Pacman" Jones is back.

Thought to be out for the season because of a neck injury, Jones returned to practice yesterday and is expected to play Saturday against Baltimore, both at cornerback and as a returner, after having missed only one game.

Coach Wade Phillips said the herniated disk discovered last week has healed, perhaps because he already had the problem and it was only aggravated by a hit he took two games ago in Pittsburgh. That was his first game back with the Cowboys after being suspended from six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"He's got nine lives," Phillips said. "Maybe he's got 18."

Dallas (9-5) plays Baltimore on Saturday night in a game between teams vying for wild-card berths in their respective conferences. The Cowboys close the season Dec. 28 vs. the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Panthers. Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu missed practice with a sprained right ankle, making it possible a defensive starter will miss a game for the first time this season. Carolina (11-3) faces the run-oriented Giants (11-3) on Sunday with the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs at stake.

Giants. Brandon Jacobs practiced, an early sign the big halfback would be back in the lineup this weekend for the NFC showdown against the Panthers.

Jacobs, who has rushed for 1,002 yards and 12 TDs, missed the game against Dallas last weekend after aggravating his left knee against the Eagles the week before.

Bills. Quarterback Trent Edwards is ready to make his first start in three weeks since being sidelined by a groin injury, and former starter J.P. Losman has likely taken his last snap for the Bills.

Redskins. Indignant over another Pro Bowl snub, middle linebacker London Fletcher stepped out of character and vented his frustration, calling himself "the Susan Lucci of the NFL" and deeming his career "Hall of Fame worthy."

Fletcher is the leading tackler in the NFL this decade and has never missed a game in his 11-year career. He is widely considered the MVP of the Redskins, the anchor to a defense ranked fourth in the league.

San Francisco's Patrick Willis and Carolina's Jon Beason were the NFC selections for inside linebacker this year in voting among fans, coaches and players.

"I understand they can take only two middle linebackers, but to have it happen year after year after year after year after year. I'm an eight-time alternate. I'm the Susan Lucci of the NFL," said Fletcher, referring to the soap opera star who was nominated for an Emmy 18 times before finally winning.

Colts. Receiver Marvin Harrison had an MRI exam and is questionable for Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Harrison, who apparently hurt his knee against Detroit on Sunday, "actually has a hamstring issue," coach Tony Dungy said.

Saints. Running back Reggie Bush will miss the final two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee suffered at Chicago last Thursday night.

He sat out four games earlier this season with a different knee injury. Bush's latest injury is not expected to require surgery, coach Sean Payton said.

Steelers. NFL owners approved a restructured ownership plan in which Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his son will buy most of the shares owned by other family members.

Under the plan approved by a 31-0 vote during a meeting of the owners in Irving, Texas, Dan Rooney and his son, team president Art II, will own 30 percent of the team, meeting a league requirement on the equity on controlling ownership.

Jurisprudence. Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh say they brok up a cocaine ring headed by the nephew of Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett. Authorities say 31-year-old Anthony A. Dorsett, of Aliquippa, and 12 others have been selling crack and powder cocaine since 2003. An indictment was unsealed Tuesday.