Source: Doctors clear Felix Jones

Updated: July 23, 2012, 4:55 PM ET
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones has been medically cleared to practice before the start of training camp, according to a source.

Jones, who rushed for 575 yards and one touchdown before losing the starting job to DeMarco Murray in 2011, underwent shoulder surgery the day after the season ended.

Jones missed all of Dallas' offseason workouts while recovering from the procedure.

The Cowboys open training camp Wednesday for quarterbacks, rookies and injured players in Irving, Texas. Jones, however, will be available to practice with the full squad July 30 in Oxnard, Calif.

Jones, a former first-round pick in 2008 out of Arkansas, has missed a total of 16 games in his career. He's had only one season, 2010, where he played in all 16 games, during which he rushed for a career-high 800 yards on 185 carries.

Jones' return also gives the Cowboys a healthy backfield to start training camp.

Murray missed the last three games of the 2011 season after suffering a fractured ankle Dec. 11 against the New York Giants. Murray, who led the team with 897 yards in his rookie season, didn't miss any offseason workouts and was cleared to practice several weeks ago.

Calvin Watkins joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Cowboys since 2006 and also has covered colleges, boxing and high school sports.

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