PRO FOOTBALL TRAINING CAMPS : Dickerson Has Leg Injury, Fails Physical

Eric Dickerson seemed headed back to the Indianapolis Colts Monday, but he failed the Colts’ physical because of a hamstring injury.

The injury “is a strained left hamstring, which Dickerson sustained on his own during training,” the team said in a statement.

Dickerson had stayed away from training camp since July 26, accumulating $1,500 a day in fines. His absence followed months of demands for a trade, threats of retirement and criticism of his teammates and management.

The Colts threatened to place him on the reserved-left squad list, which effectively would have suspended him without pay for the 1990 season without nullifying the year remaining on his contract.

Agent Leigh Steinberg was hired by Dickerson last week to help mend his sour relationship with the team.

“I have encouraged Eric to report,” Steinberg said. “The primary and fundamental starting point in the world is that when you sign a contract, you fulfill it.”

Dickerson is in the final year of the contract he signed after the Colts obtained him from the Rams in a three-team trade Oct. 31, 1987. He is scheduled to earn $1.45 million this year.

Dickerson, a four-time league rushing champion, is the only back in NFL history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in seven consecutive seasons. He has rushed for 11,226 yards and needs only 11 more yards to pass O.J. Simpson on the league’s all-time rushing list.

Dickerson has rushed for 3,981 yards in 40 games with the Colts.

John Bosa’s comeback season has ended before it started.

The Miami Dolphins’ defensive end underwent major reconstructive knee surgery to repair a torn ligament that will sideline him for the season, Coach Don Shula said.

Bosa, Miami’s first-round draft choice in 1987, suffered a serious injury to his left knee in October of 1988. He hurt his right knee during a scrimmage Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tight end Clint Didier, a member of three Super Bowl teams while with the Washington Redskins, retired after two seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

Didier, 31, caught 12 passes since signing with the Packers as a free agent in 1988 after being released by the Redskins.

Didier finished his eight-year career with 141 catches for 1,923 yards and 21 touchdowns. With the Redskins, he caught 30 passes in 1984, 41 in 1985 and 34 in 1986.

Wide receiver Chris Burkett of the New York Jets apparently has retired after walking out of training camp at Hempstead, N.Y.

Burkett’s departure comes less than one year after he walked out on the Buffalo Bills two games into last season following a sideline dispute with quarterback Jim Kelly during a game.

The Jets claimed Burkett, 27, on waivers and signed him to a two-year, $700,000 contract. Burkett played 13 games for the Jets, starting six. He caught 21 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown.

Journeyman quarterback David Archer was released, opening a spot on the San Diego Chargers’ roster for rookie John Friesz.

Friesz, a sixth-round draft choice from Idaho, will compete with Mark Vlasic for the backup role behind Billy Joe Tolliver.

The Chargers scored all 22 of their points in two scrimmages with Friesz running the offense.

Seattle Seahawk wide receiver Brian Blades returned to practice after sitting out Saturday’s exhibition game against the Denver Broncos in a contract dispute.

Blades, who has two years remaining on his contract, declined to comment, but Seahawk president Tom Flores said the Pro Bowl receiver will be in the lineup Saturday in Phoenix.

Blades, a second-round draft pick in 1988 out of Miami, will earn $210,000 this season and $275,000 next season, plus a $25,000 roster bonus each year.

Blades was Seattle’s leading receiver last year with 77 catches for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns.

“With two years left on his contract, there will be no renegotiation,” Flores said.

The Cleveland Browns signed former Houston Oiler safety Keith Bostic as a free agent.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Bostic was drafted in the second round in 1983.