Now with Dallas Cowboys, Rossum looks to return the favor

IRVING – Since leaving Skyline High School, Allen Rossum has played for five NFL teams and gained more return yards in his career than all but one player. On Wednesday, he checked off another ambition when he checked in at Cowboys headquarters.

"It took 12 years for me to get back," Rossum said, stacking belongings in his locker.

"I finally got an opportunity to have a star on my helmet. Why not fulfill a dream that you had as a little kid. It was a no-brainer."

Rossum, 33, signed with Dallas after being cut by the 49ers on Monday. He will make about $600,000 for the rest of the season.

His other stops were with the Eagles, Steelers, Falcons and Packers.

Although he played only three games in his second season with the 49ers, Rossum supplied evidence that he still has breakaway ability. He had punt returns of 75 and 40 yards nullified by penalties.

"We felt like he still had a lot of juice," said Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, who worked with Rossum in Atlanta. "He's a guy we feel is a difference-maker."

DeCamillis stressed that the move was not a reaction to mistakes by punt returners Patrick Crayton (one fumble) and Terence Newman (bad decision). With Felix Jones coming back from an injury, and Miles Austin expected to see more time at wide receiver, the Cowboys needed kick return help.

"I have a lot left in the tank," Rossum said. "My body hasn't been beat on. I haven't had a tremendous amount of injuries."

Wet day at practice: The Cowboys practiced at Coppell High School on Wednesday because of wet conditions at Valley Ranch.

Injured players who did not practice were Jones, WR Roy Williams, S Gerald Sensabaugh and LB Curtis Johnson.

Williams, Jones and Sensabaugh should be back next week, coach Wade Phillips said. S Mike Hamlin, who broke his wrist during the preseason, returned to practice.

Woods at Valley Ranch? Some Cowboys were shocked when they entered the weight room Tuesday and found Tiger Woods pumping iron.

On Monday night, the world's No. 1 golfer had watched the U2 concert at Cowboys Stadium from the suite that Tony Romo and Jason Witten share.

Phillips said Woods shared some keen insights with him.

"It was interesting that he was interested in what we were doing, and I'm interested in what he's doing," Phillips said. "He talked about being a leader. He said, 'I'm in an individual sport, but I'm my own leader.' "

Briefly: DB Alan Ball was fined $5,000 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Kansas City wide receiver Bobby Wade. Ball, who drew an unnecessary roughness penalty, said he will appeal. ... New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers will have a book signing and discussion of The Catch at 7 p.m. today at Legacy Books in Plano. The book chronicles the 1981 NFC Championship Game between the Cowboys and 49ers and how the game led to the 49ers' dynasty and signaled the beginning of the end of Tom Landry's era.