New Orleans ? The NFL on Monday ended the suspension of New Orleans cornerback Dale Carter, who had been prohibited from playing for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

“We got a little better today,” Saints coach Jim Haslett said. “I’m really happy to have him back.”

Carter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who had to sit out the 2000 season for substance abuse, failed another test and was suspended indefinitely in July, months after signing a seven-year, $28 million contract.

Carter and his brother, Saints wide receiver Jake Reed, called Haslett on Monday and said they had met with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

“It sounds like he said all the right things,” Haslett said.

The Saints said Carter was eligible to begin participating immediately. New Orleans (6-2) plays at Carolina on Sunday. Carter should be in playing shape when he returns and is expected to bolster the Saints secondary, which has been hit with injuries.

Carter was the 1992 NFL rookie of the year with Kansas City.