Irving, Texas ? Suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson practiced with the Dallas Cowboys for the first time Friday, disappointed commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t shorten his eight-game ban but glad to be back on the field.

Johnson was signed by Dallas after getting cut by the Chicago Bears and can’t play in a game until Nov. 11 against the New York Giants. He said he’d hoped Goodell would agree to shorten his suspension for violating probation on a gun charge to six games, but will settle for the three weeks of practice he was granted.

“Me and Roger, we’re good friends, man,” Johnson said after the workout. “We talk a lot. It’s actually very nice of him to allow me to practice because as far as the career goes, it’s kind of important to get going first before you get out there full speed.”

He was far from that Friday. After some stretching exercises, Johnson mostly watched during individual drills for the short time practice was open to the media.