PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Bears, Cowboys in Five-Player Deal

The Chicago Bears traded linebacker John Roper, safety Markus Paul and tight end Kelly Blackwell to the Dallas Cowboys for linebackers Vinson Smith and Barry Minter. The Bears also got a low draft choice.

Blackwell, who caught five passes as a rookie last year, will temporarily replace Alfredo Roberts, who suffered a broken foot in training camp, as Jay Novacek’s backup at tight end. Paul will move into the secondary.

Smith, a six-year-veteran, started 13 games for the Cowboys last year and is strongest against the run. He will probably start at strong-side linebacker for the Bears.

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San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Bono underwent surgery for a separated left shoulder and will be sidelined for up to eight weeks. Bono, Steve Young’s backup, was injured during the 49ers’ 16-13 exhibition victory at Denver on Monday night. . . . Jim McMahon will be Minnesota’s starting quarterback when the Vikings open the regular season against the Raiders at the Coliseum on Sept. 5, Coach Dennis Green said. . . . Linebacker David Little of the Pittsbrugh Steelers, a 13-year-veteran who made the Pro Bowl two seasons ago, was cut and second-year player Levon Kirkland was given his job. . . . New England’s Drew Bledsoe, the top pick in the draft, will make his first start at quarterback Friday night when the Patriots play host to the Green Bay Packers.