PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Sanders’ Injury Only a Sprain

The San Francisco 49ers received good news, learning cornerback Deion Sanders’ left ankle--injured in practice Wednesday--is only sprained and he might play in Sunday’s game against Philadelphia at Candlestick Park.

“It’s pretty good, pretty good,” Sanders said after watching practice Thursday while wearing a protective walking cast on his ankle. Asked if he’ll play Sunday, Sanders replied, “It’s not my call.”

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Mark Higgs, the Miami Dolphins’ leading rusher for each of the past three seasons, will make his first start this year Sunday at Cincinnati.

Higgs fell out of favor this season with Coach Don Shula and was almost released. But he rose on the depth chart after knee injuries to Terry Kirby and Irving Spikes.

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Cleveland Brown running back Eric Metcalf and wide receiver Eric Turner were fined and given suspended jail sentences after being convicted of reckless driving.

Metcalf was also convicted of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

The two players were arrested Sept. 13 after a motorist complained that they appeared to be drag racing on Interstate 480 in a Cleveland suburb.