PHILADELPHIA – The phone rang at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Until that moment, Jake Knott didn’t know if his NFL career would resume or end with a four-game suspension for PED use.

“You see some guys, once they lose their shot, they’re done,” Knott said Wednesday after rejoining the Eagles’ practice squad. “It definitely was hard. It was hard on my fiancée. I’m just very happy now to be doing the thing I love again.”

Knott was notified of his suspension early in the offseason. The Eagles like him as a backup inside linebacker and special teamer. Then he got hurt in training camp and was unable to compete for a roster spot. Knott was released and, with his suspension looking, no other teams had any reason to sign him.

“I know I made a mistake,” Knott said. “I know how it’s affected me and the team. But now it’s my chance to be able to show them that I belong. I’m going to work my tail off and do whatever they want me to do. I’m extremely glad to be here and help out the team any way I can.”

The Eagles were not allowed to contact Knott until his suspension ended. The last they told him was that they would evaluate him after the four weeks and decide what to do.

Knott went to Iowa State, where he played his college ball. He worked out, preparing in case he had to try out for teams once the suspension was over. But he really hoped he would get another shot in Philadelphia. Knott played in 12 games last season, mostly on special teams.

“I really wanted to come back here because it’s such a great place,” Knott said. “I’m familiar with everybody and the scheme. I was in limbo, in transition. I’m very lucky to have the support system I had at Iowa State.”

That limbo had to last until the conclusion of the fourth NFL week, which ended with the Monday night game between New England and Kansas City. When the phone rang Tuesday, it was the soonest the Eagles could contact Knott. He was happy to cancel the workouts he’d begun setting up with other teams.

“I hoped it was going to be an option,” Knott said. “Quite honestly, I’ve heard some bad things about other places. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to come back here.”