NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Saints cornerback Dale Carter reported to the Saints camp Tuesday following his reinstatement after his latest suspension for violating NFL substance abuse policies.

The Saints returned to work from a week off. The team closed its Tuesday practice to the media. Team spokesman Greg Bensel said Carter would be unavailable for comment Tuesday but would be available to the media Wednesday afternoon.

New Orleans was returning from its bye week. Regular practice was scheduled to start on Wednesday.

The league lifted Carter's suspension Monday.

"We got a little better today,'' New Orleans 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, only months after signing a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Saints.

Carter and his brother, Saints wide receiver Jake Reed, called earlier in the day and said they had met with NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Haslett said.

"It sounds like he said all the right things,'' Haslett said.

New Orleans (6-2) travels to Carolina to play the Panthers 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.

"We're pleased to get Dale back to our team,'' said general manager Mickey Loomis. "Our concern for Dale went beyond football, and he has fulfilled all of the requirements that were necessary for him to get to this point. Within the framework of our team and with the support of the entire organization, we expect Dale to be a productive player for us this season.''

The 1992 NFL rookie of the year with Kansas City, Carter signed with Minnesota in November 2001 and spent the rest of last season with the Vikings.

After a previous suspension for violating league substance abuse policies, Carter was had been reinstated under the agreement with the NFL Management Council in which he agreed to abstain from alcohol and was told a positive test would mean suspension.

Haslett said he was not sure if Carter's return was based on his total avoidance of both drugs and alcohol. Whatever it requires, he expects Carter to honor it.

"Dale made a promise to me and to Mickey that he will not violate anything,'' Haslett said. "He wants to play and end his career with the Saints.''

Carter also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Feb. 15, listing his debts to more than 20 creditors as $4.9 million, his assets as more than $1 million.

The Saints will have to cut a player to make room on the roster for Carter. Haslett said he had not thought about who he would cut.