DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Cowboys Finally Sign Stepnoski

Starting center Mark Stepnoski of the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a new contract Saturday.

However, Stepnoski will not be ready to play in Monday night’s opening game against the Washington Redskins, breaking his string of 36 starts at center.

Frank Cornish, a Plan B acquisition who spent his first two pro seasons with the San Diego Chargers after playing at UCLA, will start at center, with Dale Hellestrae, re-signed after being released this week, backing up.

“Had it been up to me, I’d love to be out there Monday night against the Redskins,” Stepnoski said. He said he will try to be ready when the Cowboys play next Sunday against the New York Giants.

The three-year, $1.95-million contract makes him the Cowboys’ highest-paid offensive lineman, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Stepnoski can earn $50,000 per year in incentives if he plays as much as he did the last two seasons, the newspaper said.

The Philadelphia Eagles and holdout tight end Keith Jackson are close to a contract agreement, it was reported by the Philadelphia Daily News.

The Daily News quoted an anonymous source as saying there was “considerable movement” on Jackson’s part Friday night. The newspaper said Jackson was thought to be close to finalizing the deal.

Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has backed off his demand for $2 million a year, said Bob Wallace, the team’s legal counsel. However, he described the difference between the sides as being great.

The club’s latest offer is believed to be a three-year package totaling close to $4 million, with a 1992 salary of $1.2 million and an average of $1.325 million.

After starting the week with four tight ends, the Denver Broncos are down to Clarence Kay for tonight’s game against the Raiders.

On Thursday, Shannon Sharpe left Broncos headquarters because of recurring muscle spasms. Earlier in the day, Reggie Johnson, who has a separated left shoulder, was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for tonight’s game.

The fourth tight end, Rob Awalt, was waived by the Broncos on Monday.