PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : NFC : Bettis Returns but Miller Out

St. Louis Ram Coach Rich Brooks began training camp with a respectable passing attack under the direction of quarterback Chris Miller and a suspect running game because Jerome Bettis was absent.

On Monday, Bettis was in uniform, bringing his 14-day holdout to a halt. Miller was a no-show, sidelined because of a mild concussion suffered during Saturday’s exhibition game at Seattle.

Miller had three concussions last season, and the Rams are bringing in an equipment specialist this week to see if headgear can be made to lessen the effects of hits to Miller.

“I’m a little concerned about it obviously,” Brooks said. “We need to see what transpires from here before we get reactional about it. I think it was an apprehension, as well as a minor injury, as well as a flashback sort of thing for him.”

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An allegation of sexual assault by “a handful” of New Orleans Saint players was being investigated by the La Crosse, Wis., police and district attorney’s office after a Sunday report from a woman that she had been assaulted in the team’s training camp dormitory.

Assistant District Attorney Ron Kind said the woman, who is not from La Crosse but is from Wisconsin, was known by some of the players and went to the dorm on her own. He said she called police about 5:45 a.m., apparently after leaving the dorm.

No charges have been filed.

Approximately seven Saint players have been questioned by police and several more are to be questioned, Kind said.

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Guard Guy McIntyre, who won three Super Bowl rings during 10 seasons in San Francisco, agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“We’re excited to have him,” Coach Ray Rhodes said of McIntyre, 34, who spent last year with Green Bay.

“He’s a five-time Pro Bowler who’s going to definitely help us out. He’s going to bring an attitude to our offensive line we need. He believes in the same thing I believe in--take no prisoners.”

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Green Bay Packer offensive tackle Gary Brown pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

Brown, 24, was fined $324 in Winnebago County, Wis.

Authorities said an unloaded handgun was found in Brown’s vehicle when he was stopped April 16 in Oshkosh for driving while intoxicated.

Brown pleaded no contest to the drunk driving offense and was fined $547. His driver’s license was suspended for six months.

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Lewis Tillman, Chicago’s leading rusher last season with 899 yards, says there is no competition for the Bears’ starting tailback position.

Rookie Rashaan Salaam, Chicago’s top draft choice and the Heisman Trophy winner, has been the starter since he came to camp after a two-week holdout.

“I know they didn’t draft him not to play,” Tillman said.

Salaam stepped in immediately with the first-team offense and was given twice the number of plays as Tillman, Robert Green and Darrell Thompson--all backs who have been in camp since it opened July 20.

Tillman’s roster spot might be in jeopardy because he would earn about $1 million this season as a high-priced reserve.

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Brad Johnson (11 of 13 for 124 yards) rebounded from an early interception to throw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Quadry Ismail and lead an 80-yard scoring drive in the third quarter as the Minnesota Vikings beat the San Diego Chargers, 23-19, in an exhibition opener at San Diego.

Charles Mincy and Esera Tuaolo intercepted passes by Charger quarterback Stan Humphries, and Alfred Jackson intercepted a pass by fourth-stringer Craig Whelihan.

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The Green Bay Packers claimed cornerback Steve Israel, 26, off waivers from the St. Louis Rams.

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Giant quarterback Dave Brown’s right elbow, injured in Sunday’s 19-13 victory over Cleveland, swelled overnight and an MRI was done to determine if there was ligament damage.