PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AFC : Dolphins’ Spikes Faces Charges of Spousal Abuse

Miami reserve running back Irving Spikes was freed on $5,000 bond after being arrested for allegedly beating his wife, and Dolphin Coach Don Shula placed him on probation after meeting with him twice.

Shula said Spikes would be eligible to play in next weekend’s season opener.

“While I realize that Irving is entitled to his day in court to determine the validity of these charges, right now there is no question that it’s been an embarrassment to our football team, and as a result I am placing him on probation for conduct detrimental to the football team,” an angry Shula said at a training camp news conference.

Spikes, 24, spent the night in jail after police picked him up at his home in Pembroke Pines, a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. He faces battery charges and agreed to enter a domestic violence counseling program and live separately from his wife, Stacey, who said he had pushed her to the floor and tried to choke her.

But she said she wouldn’t press charges.

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Coach Bobby Ross, who underwent abdominal surgery Thursday night, expects to return to the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday.

San Diego cut five players, including second-year quarterback Jeff Brohm.

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Safety Ronnie Lott, who suffered a broken leg during the exhibition season, was placed on injured reserve by the Kansas City Chiefs. Lott, a 10-time Pro Bowl pick, can’t play for the Chiefs this year, but when he recovers can be waived and then would be eligible to sign with another team.

The Chiefs also cut fullback James Saxon, who spent the last three seasons with the Dolphins.

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The Cleveland Browns cut Jim McMahon, but Coach Bill Belichick said the veteran quarterback may be re-signed within days once some other roster matters are resolved. Brad Goebel, the Browns’ No. 3 quarterback since 1992, was also cut, leaving third-round pick Eric Zeier, who had an excellent exhibition season, as the only backup behind Vinny Testaverde.

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The Buffalo Bills released quarterback Rick Strom, making Alex Van Pelt their third quarterback behind Jim Kelly and rookie Todd Collins. Strom was the Bills’ No. 3 quarterback last season. Van Pelt, cut by Pittsburgh in 1993 and Kansas City last season, completed 25 of 47 passes for 291 yards in four exhibition games.

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Oakland Raider kicker Jeff Jaeger suffered a sprained right knee on the opening kickoff of Friday’s exhibition game against New England and might be sidelined several weeks. Also, the team cut six players, including wide receiver Ty Montgomery, who started the first six games last season as a running back. . . . Cornerback Wymon Henderson, a starter for the Denver Broncos in the early 1990s who was trying to back a comeback, was among seven players cut by the Broncos. . . . Veteran defensive ends Mike Pitts and Jon Hand were among the New England Patriot cuts. . . . Tight end Pat Carter, a former Ram, was among the Houston Oiler cuts. . . . Quarterback Don Hollas was among the Detroit Lion cuts, meaning 1992 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta is the No. 3 quarterback. . . . Linebacker Frank Stams, who had 95 tackles last season for Cleveland but had knee problems, was let go by Carolina.