PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : The Broncos Acquire Vikings’ Zimmerman

The Denver Broncos acquired four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman from the Minnesota Vikings.

The Broncos sent wide receiver Vance Johnson to the Vikings for a conditional seventh-round pick in next year’s draft. The Broncos then received Zimmerman for first- and sixth-round picks in the 1994 draft and a second-round pick in the 1995 draft.

Bronco guard Doug Widell was traded to the Green Bay Packers for an undisclosed draft choice, and Bronco kicker David Treadwell was cut.

Johnson, drafted in 1985, combined with since-departed Mark Jackson and Ricky Nattiel to form the Three Amigos as quarterback John Elway’s favorite targets.

Johnson, who has not played in the preseason because of minor injuries, is third on the Broncos’ all-time list with 367 receptions.

“We’ve got a complete line, maybe a dominant line,” Coach Wade Phillips said. “The number one thing on offense is John Elway, protecting the franchise. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Zimmerman, 6-6 and 294 pounds, is entering his eighth season. He was in the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. He is expected to attend practice today.

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Wade Wilson, playing a complete half for the first time since the New Orleans Saints acquired him this summer, completed 13 of 22 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown during the Saints’ 20-14 victory over the Chicago Bears at New Orleans.

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Chicago Bear running back Craig (Ironhead) Heyward agreed in Gretna, La., to pay a $3,500 fine instead of doing 35 hours of community service as the result of charges stemming from a 1991 altercation.

Heyward pleaded no contest to charges that he head-butted one woman and grabbed another by the breast and crotch and threatened them both with a steel traffic barricade. He was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

A judge, however, decided that Heyward had completed only five hours of service acceptable to the court and issued a warrant for his arrest.

The altercation took place outside a Metairie sports bar after a New Orleans Saint pep rally on Oct. 11, 1991.

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Wide receiver Stephen Baker, a seven-year veteran, was waived by the New York Giants. Baker caught 17 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns last season.