New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - After missing the last two NFL seasons due to a lengthy jail sentence stemming from dogfighting charges, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was conditionally reinstated to the National Football League on Monday.

Vick is permitted to sign with a team and participate in preseason games and all other team activities, although he will not be allowed to participate in the regular season until Week 6 at the earliest.

In addition, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy will serve as a mentor to Vick. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Dungy will play a role in his decision on whether to permanently reinstate Vick.

"I am also encouraged by your recognition that you cannot do this yourself, and that outside mentors and continued counseling will provide you with valuable support and assistance," Goodell said in a letter to Vick. "After discussing possible mentors with you, I have asked coach Tony Dungy to continue his work with you and to initiate a more formal mentoring relationship with you. Earlier today, we discussed in detail with Coach Dungy the precise nature of that relationship, and I share your view that Coach Dungy can help you in many ways as you rebuild your life and resume your career. I will stay in close touch with Coach Dungy and his views will be part of my decision concerning whether and when you return to play."

Vick also submitted a written plan to Goodell detailing his living arrangements, his financial affairs, counseling and mentoring plans and proposed work with the Humane Society. Goodell said in the letter that Vick is accountable for abiding by this plan.

In a statement from his agent Joel Segal, posted on several media sources, Vick was grateful for getting another chance to play in the NFL.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League. I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for opportunity I have been given," Vick said.

"As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.

"Again, I would like to thank the Commissioner for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change.

"I would like to also thank Coach Tony Dungy for all of his support and for serving as a mentor."

Vick, 29, was released from a Kansas prison May 20 and returned to his home in Virginia until his sentence ended on July 20. He spent 19 months at the federal prison after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from a dogfighting operation conducted at a house owned by Vick in Surry County, Virginia.

Shortly following Vick's guilty plea in August 2007, Goodell imposed an indefinite suspension.

"In deciding whether to reinstate a player, I have stressed my belief that playing in the NFL is a privilege," Goodell added in the letter. "It is not an entitlement. Everyone fortunate enough to be part of the league is held to a standard of conduct higher than that generally expected in society and is correspondingly accountable when that standard of conduct is not met."

After Vick was released from prison, the Falcons terminated his contract.

Vick was the face of the Falcons franchise after his selection as the top overall draft choice in 2001, and was once the NFL's highest-paid player. He was a three-time Pro Bowl pick and twice led the Falcons to the playoffs, including a trip to the NFC title game after the 2004 season.

Now that Vick's sentence is over, he is now on probation for the next three years.

"Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," Goodell said in the letter. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you."

Vick did not admit to killing any dogs personally or gambling on the fights. The summary of facts accompanying the plea agreement said Vick was aware four dogs were killed in 2002 and six to eight dogs were killed as a result of the "collective efforts" of Vick and two of his co-defendants.