PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Report: Eagles, Deion Hold Talks

The Philadelphia Eagles have contacted the agent for free agent cornerback-kick returner Deion Sanders, according to a published report in Philadelphia.

Sanders, a two-sport star expected to have his baseball season cut short by a players’ strike beginning today, and his agent, Eugene Parker, talked with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie last Friday, unidentified sources told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Sources in Cincinnati said Sanders, 27, would be open to the possibility of signing with the Eagles immediately. If the strike ended, Sanders would join the Eagles when the Reds’ season ends.

The Eagles are believed to have little flexibility under the salary cap and would probably have to cut a few players to sign him.

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Growing impatient with holdout kicker Gary Anderson’s absence, Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher suggested that he is nearly ready to go looking for some fresh legs.

“Yes, that could be addressed,” Cowher said in West Chester, Pa. “No question we’re looking and keeping our eyes open to any potential kickers out there. It’s a possibility.”

Anderson, 35, in the final year of a contract worth $350,000, refused to report to camp last month after claiming the Steelers reneged on the promise of a new contract. . . . Coach Norv Turner and about half the Washington Redskins will make their home-field debut tonight at RFK Stadium against Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game will also be the first at home for rookie quarterback Heath Shuler, who will play the second half. Both Turner and Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer said they’ll play their starters for the first half before turning the game over to second-and third-teamers. Montana will start for the Chiefs, his first start of the exhibition season. “I think Joe’s right on target as far as where we are with him at this time,” Schottenheimer said. . . . Green Bay star receiver Sterling Sharpe, practicing this week for the first time since sustaining a severe turf toe last Nov. 8, will not play this week and will not practice full-speed until the final week of August before playing in the final exhibition against New England, Coach Mike Holmgren said.