Bengal Thurman returns after ban

Cincinnati linebacker Odell Thurman has been reinstated by the NFL after sitting out two seasons for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

He was first suspended by the NFL for four games in July 2006.

The ban was extended to the entire year after Thurman was arrested in September for drink driving and he later admitted in court he was an alcoholic.

Thurman sought reinstatement for the 2007 season but his request was blocked by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Bengals head coach Marv Lewis said: "Odell has met the NFL's conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our off-season roster.

"It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."

University of Georgia stand-out Thurman was the Bengals second-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft.

He had a team-high 148 tackles, four forced fumbles and five interceptions in his NFL rookie season.