Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Amobi Okoye expected to practice Thursday

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Amobi Okoye is expected to practice Thursday for the first time with the Cowboys, his attorney, Darin Morgan, told ESPN's Adam Caplan.

Okoye is on the reserve/non-football injury list as he continues to come back from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a brain condition that causes memory issues and seizures and that had Okoye in a coma for three months last year.

Okoye, 27, was cleared for contact at the end of training camp, but the Cowboys kept him on the injury list so he could continue to rehab. Once the Cowboys activate Okoye, there will be a three-week window in which he can practice but not count against the 53-man roster. At the end of that period, the Cowboys will have to activate him, keep him on the injury list for the season, or release him.

Okoye said two weeks ago he no longer doubts he will play again. He said he is in much better shape after the extended workouts with strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik. He signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys in May.

If he can return this year, he would be part of a defensive line rotation that has been beset by injuries. Anthony Spencer (knee) has already returned, while DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) is expected to return soon.

The Cowboys will monitor Okoye's work closely since no player has ever played in the NFL after recovering from this condition.

Okoye last played in the NFL in 2012 with the Bears.

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