PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : ACROSS THE NATION : Cowboys’ Switzer Sticks Up for Aikman

Dallas Cowboy Coach Barry Switzer is upset about what he sees as a deliberate attempt to hurt quarterback Troy Aikman, and he’s complaining to the NFL about it.

What has Switzer angry is a head-shot by Cincinnati’s James Francis during Sunday’s game, won by the Cowboys.

“He knew what he was doing and it was uncalled for,” Switzer said. “He went to Troy’s head and that bothers me.”

The Bengals received a 15-yard penalty for the blow. Dallas got an extra chance on the fourth-and-nine incomplete pass and eventually scored a touchdown on the drive.

It was the second consecutive week Aikman had been hit in the head. He suffered a concussion the previous week when he was hit by Arizona’s Wilber Marshall.

Aikman did not appear to be injured by the Francis hit.

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Former Raider Mike Haynes was among the eight first-time nominees on the 58-name preliminary ballot for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Haynes was a nine-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the New England Patriots and Raiders.

The other first-time eligibles include wide receiver Steve Largent, quarterback Ron Jaworski, wide receiver Wesley Walker, defensive ends Ed (Too Tall) Jones and Art Still and defensive backs Hanford Dixon and Mark Haynes, Mike’s brother.

The preliminary ballot includes eight players who were among the 15 finalists a year ago: wide receivers Charlie Joiner, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, tight end Kellen Winslow, offensive linemen Tom Mack and Dan Dierdorf, defensive end Carl Eller and defensive backs Paul Krause and Mel Renfro.

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San Francisco 49ers right tackle Harris Barton, who tore his left triceps in the season opener, is on pace to return for Sunday’s game at Washington, about two weeks ahead of schedule. Wide receiver John Taylor, who underwent arthroscopic surgery last week to relieve an arthritic condition in his right knee, might also play Sunday, Coach George Seifert said.