PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Add Penalty Box? Is Blue Line Next?

In an attempt to curb some of the flagrant violence on the field, the NFL Competition Committee has been asked to study the possibility of introducing a penalty box for players who deliver dangerous hits to a quarterback.

Greg Aiello, the NFL’s director of communication, confirmed the proposal had been made by one team. The suggestion had been made several times in the past, but never got out of the committee for a discussion by the team owners.

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Troy Aikman will be in uniform for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Dallas Cowboys say they hope he won’t have to play.

Jason Garrett, who rallied Dallas from a 14-point deficit to a 42-31 victory over Green Bay on Thanksgiving, or sore-thumbed Rodney Peete will start.

Aikman, who suffered a ligament sprain in his left knee two weeks ago, will be the Cowboys’ designated third quarterback, Coach Barry Switzer said.

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Chicago wide receiver Curtis Conway will be sidelined for his third consecutive game Thursday night when the Bears play the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome because of a bruised thigh. . . . The Vikings re-signed tight end Steve Jordan, bringing back their all-time leading receiver after losing two tight ends to injuries. . . . Indianapolis Colt linebacker Freddie Joe Nunn was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, driving under the influence and destruction of city property for driving his car over a St. Louis sidewalk, police said. . . . John Butler, who as scout and then general manager helped assemble the four-time AFC champion Buffalo Bills, was given a two-year contract extension. . . . Webster Slaughter, already fined one game check worth $9,529, ignored the threat of a suspension and lashed out at Jeff Fisher, accusing the new Houston Oiler coach of trying to discredit him during a team meeting. . . . Washington Redskin fullback Frank Wycheck was suspended by the NFL for using anabolic steroids.