Dallas Cowboys activate Jakar Hamilton

The Dallas Cowboys activated safety Jakar Hamilton from the exempt/commissioner permission list on Monday and waived linebacker Keith Smith.

Hamilton was suspended the first four games of the regular season after violating the NFL's drug policy but returned to practice last week. He was limited in training camp because of a concussion and hamstring injuries but the Cowboys chose to stick with him through the suspension.

"We like the progress Jakar has made," coach Jason Garrett said. "He's a young player, but he’s gotten better and better and he can be a guy who can contribute on defense both as a safety and he showed us he can play down in a nickel-type role through training camp when we had some guys banged up, and also just contributing on special teams. Part of the 53 and we'll sort out whether he'll be part of the 46 going forward."

Garrett said he was not sure whether linebackers Rolando McClain or Bruce Carter will practice on Wednesday. McClain re-injured his groin in Sunday's win against the Houston Texans but Garrett said McClain "seemed like he was feeling better afterwards and today."

Carter did not play because of a quadriceps injury suffered against the New Orleans Saints. He said last week he would need 10-14 days to recover.

Smith could be called up from the practice squad again by the end of the week if McClain and/or Carter do not progress. He has been called up for two of the past three games.