Cincinnati Bengals' troubled linebacker Odell Thurman has officially been reinstated into the league by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Thurman missed the past two seasons due to violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, as reported by John Clayton of ESPN.com:

"Odell has met the NFL's conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our offseason roster," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."

A starter in 2005 when he led the Bengals in tackles as a rookie, Thurman was initially suspended for four games in 2006 when he missed a scheduled drug screening. The sanction was subsequently increased to a year after Thurman was arrested on DUI charges Sept. 25, 2006.

Despite missing much of his rookie training camp because of a protracted contract impasse, Thurman appeared in 15 games in 2005, all as a starter, and registered 148 tackles, one sack, five interceptions, nine passes defensed and four forced fumbles. The former Georgia star, a second-round draft pick in 2005, was a candidate for defensive rookie of the year honors.

This is the first good news the Bengals have received in a while. Just three weeks ago, they cut wide receiver Chris Henry after he was arrested for the fifth time in two years.

Thurman has been staying in shape by working out at the University of Georgia.

Since the team has been so unsure of when Thurman would have been available again, they were forced to improve on the position and even had to switch defensive end Robert Geathers to the position last season.

New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has spoken about changing the defense which would leave an even bigger hole for Thurman to fill.

Thurman is still under the same contract he was as a rookie and will make $520,000 in 2008 and $615,000 in 2009. He lost $785,000 because of his suspension.

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