IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was scheduled to meet with Josh Brent Monday afternoon after the NFL modified the defensive tackle’s suspension.

While Brent will miss the first 10 games, the NFL allowed him to take part in meetings and workouts two weeks earlier than originally planned after reaching an agreement with him late last week. He can return to practice beginning on Week 9 and he is eligible to play in a game for the first time on Nov. 23 against the New York Giants

Brent has not played in a game since Dec. 2, 2012, after a car accident that cost the life of teammate and friend Jerry Brown. The Cowboys placed Brent on the non-football injury list for the remainder of the season and he retired before training camp began in 2013.

Brent was sentenced to 180 days in jail and spent the final 45 days at a treatment facility. On Sept. 2 commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him 10 games for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance-abuse policies.

Brent and the NFL came to the agreement on the modifications after his appeal was not heard in the time limits prescribed by the collective bargaining agreement.

“I think it’s a really good thing for him to lay the foundation to get back,” Garrett said. “The biggest emphasis that we have with Josh is to make sure he gets himself settled back as a human being, as a man. We feel like being around football, his livelihood, his passion, can be good for him in that regard. I think it’s set up the right way for him. He has to stay in this mode for about four weeks before he can get back on the practice field and I think that will allow him a good transition period to come back and be ready to go.”

The Cowboys have supported Brent since the accident in part because they believed it was the right thing to do and in part because of the request of Brown’s mother, Stacey Jackson.

Safety Jakar Hamilton’s four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy is over and he will be allowed to practice with the team this week. The Cowboys will have a one-week roster exemption for Hamilton and would need to make a move to add him to the 53-man roster.

Hamilton was able to be around the team and work out but not practice or take part in meetings.

“It’s been a good month for him and consistency of behavior each and every day, doing the right things he’s able to do, I think those are all good things,” Garrett said. “I think you want to make sure that all players are developing the right habits. Gave him a chance to do that and good to get him back.”