The Dallas Cowboys have gotten a key piece back to the mix with defensive tackle David Irving after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, but he has yet to take the field.

However, it appears that he could be well on his way toward doing just that as he is expected to participate in practice on Thursday, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of The Star-Telegram.

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Irving has shown progress since his return from the suspension, but he is in the midst of a personal matter with him fighting to get custody of his daughter back. This has pushed him away from the team as he attends to sorting out that situation away from the game. At the same time, he is dealing with another police investigation while also working his way through an attempted eviction from his where he lives.

There are multiple things that he must first get through before that focus can truly shift back to the football field. His participation in practice is certainly a step in the right direction as it signals that his personal life may be starting to get placed in order. It has been a whirlwind last few months as it has put his NFL career a bit on the back-burner as he works his way through his personal life situations. The Cowboys have been quite understanding of the entirety of the matters at hand, despite him also being suspended by the league.

When he does make his return, Irving has a chance to provide an even bigger pass-rush presence for the team as he is coming off a career-high 7.0 sacks last year. His presence along with the likes of defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and linebacker Jaylon Smith should provide the team with an even greater factor against the pass this season.