Adam Jones’ status should be known by Aug. 30 cut

OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys aren’t banking on it, but at least they have an idea when they will know whether cornerback Adam Jones will be reinstated for Week 1 of the regular season.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday he thinks the latest the team will know Adam Jones’ status for Week 1 is Aug. 30 when the team must reduce its roster to 53 players.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will ultimately make the call.

Adam Jones has been reinstated to practice with the team, as well as play in preseason games.

Thus far he has done nothing to disrupt a potential reinstatement since he signed with the Cowboys.

Adam Jones, however, will likely not start against San Diego in the Cowboys’ preseason opener Saturday night.

Despite Terence Newman being out with an injury, Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said he expects rookie Mike Jenkins to start at left cornerback. Adam Jones has been on the other side.

"Adam is going to play, because he practiced well," Phillips said. "I think he’ll show some of the same things. I think more of it is learning what we need to do, what techniques we want, what the coverages are and so forth. But I think he’ll do all right, because he’s a really gifted player."

Magic act

Last year in San Antonio, the Cowboys were visited by an NBA champion. They received the same treatment Wednesday in Oxnard, Calif.

Former LA Lakers point guard Magic Johnson, a noted Cowboys fan, visited the team Wednesday afternoon and was asked to talk to the team before practice.

"I’ve been through what they’re going through," Johnson said. "In 1984, I remember that feeling [when the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals] and the bad taste. I used that in 1985 as motivation. That disappointment brings focus and re-commitment.

"I told them they have all the talent to win a Super Bowl. But they need to police each other and be a good teammate. ... I told them, 'If you think you’re big now, but win a Super Bowl and you’ll see what media hype is. That will be 10-times this.’ "

Said Cowboys linebacker Bradie James: "Magic is a legend. If [he stopped] at a gas station, people would listen to him. It was very motivating. We need to get him to come back in January."

Last season, Spurs guard Bruce Bowen gave the team a motivational pep talk before a practice.

Camp Quiet

Despite the presence of HBO’s cameras, a handful of celebrities and several high profile NFL players, one of the main stories coming out of training camp has been how quiet it has been.

"It’s energetic and a loose but down-to-business recognition by these players that if we get ready, we have a chance," Jerry Jones said. "I don’t believe there is anybody here that doesn’t understand it’s real hard to get the right combinations in place so that you’ve got a chance."