IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) — Reinstated Dallas Cowboys lineman Josh Brent doesn’t know when he might see the field again. But when he does, his goal is to honor fallen teammate Jerry Brown.

Brown was killed in a 2012 car crash for which Brent was sentenced to 180 days jail on an intoxication manslaughter charge.

Brent — who hasn’t played a game since Dec. 2, 2012 — was added to the team’s 53-man roster on Tuesday following his league-mandated suspension.

“I’m a very blessed person to be able to be in this position I am now,” said Brent. “I’m just thankful that the commissioner and the Cowboy organization have allowed me to come back and be part of this team.”

Brent says “it’s been tough” to work his way back to the NFL, and he’s taking things “one day at a time.” But he believes he’s learned a lot about himself throughout the process.

“Obviously going through something I’ve gone through is a tragic experience, but it’s something that I’ve learned from — something I will always remember everyday of my life,” said Brent.

“I miss Jerry. That was my best friend. To know that he’s not here because of a mistake that I made that could have been prevented…It hurts me everyday.”

Head coach Jason Garrett said it’s unclear if Brent will return to the field when eligible on Nov. 23, saying only that he needs to “get his weight down.”

Brent has been practicing with the team over the last few weeks, gaining valuable snaps against starting center Travis Frederick. But Brent hasn’t been told when he will return to game action.

“Truthfully I don’t know. I just do what the coaches ask of me and just try to be the best teammate that I can.”

But when he does get on the field, Brent will be doing so with purpose — honoring his best friend and the family that is now without him.

“To make sure that Jerry’s name doesn’t die in vain. Jerry was a great person, a great player, and had a bright future. A mistake that I made took that away from him, took that away from his daughter, took that away from his mother. That’s something that I make sure that I keep. That I never let his name die in vain.”

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