PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : NFC : Bears Come to Terms With Salaam

Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam and the Chicago Bears agreed to a four-year, $3.8-million contract.

Salaam, the 21st player taken in April’s draft, will arrive in Chicago today but will not play in the Bears’ exhibition opener against the Carolina Panthers tonight at Soldier Field.

Bear Coach Dave Wannstedt earlier said Salaam might dress for the game.

“We’ll try to get him in there and at least show him where his locker is going to be,” Wannstedt said.

Salaam left Colorado after his junior season. He rushed for 2,055 yards with 27 touchdowns, but was the fifth running back selected.

*

Philadelphia Eagle Coach Ray Rhodes says he was only joking when he said he’d consider bringing back William (Refrigerator) Perry to his defensive line.

But the Eagles’ situation at defensive tackle is no laughing matter. Starter Andy Harmon is out because of a groin injury and will sit out Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Backup Leonard Renfro is out because of a sore knee.

On Wednesday, Rhodes said of Perry, who had 66 tackles for the Eagles in 1994: “He’s a guy I wouldn’t mind dusting off.”

On Thursday, Rhodes said: “You guys take a lot of things out of context.”