PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Sanders’ Injury Appears Serious

A doctor who gave Barry Sanders a second opinion on his injured left knee says the NFL’s leading rusher might not play until the final game of the regular season.

Arthur Ting, team physician for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, said he found more extensive ligament damage than originally diagnosed when Sanders asked him to examine the injury.

“There is a tear to the posterior cruciate ligament, in addition to the torn medial collateral ligament that the Lions have been talking about,” Ting said.

Sanders injured his left knee on Thanksgiving in the Lions’ 10-6 loss to the Chicago Bears. Detroit had hoped he could return to play Dec. 19 against the San Francisco 49ers.

*

Miami Coach Don Shula is leaning toward starting quarterback Scott Mitchell on Monday night against Pittsburgh. Mitchell, sidelined the past month because of a dislocated shoulder, alternated snaps in practice with Steve DeBerg on Thursday. . . . Dallas Cowboy offensive lineman Nate Newton was arrested on DWI charges for the second time in 39 months. . . . Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback Richard Shelton underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee and will be out for the season. . . . A nationwide poll conducted by CBS News found that 71% would like to see the return of instant replay, which was used for five years until 1992. . . . At least 45,000 Jacksonville Jaguar season tickets been have sold since the city was awarded a franchise Nov. 30. The figure does not include the nearly 10,000 club seats sold during the frantic push to win a team.