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

Irving Spikes, a backup running back for the Miami Dolphins, was freed on $5,000 bond after being arrested on battery charges for allegedly pushing his wife to the floor and trying to choke her. Spikes, 24, was picked up Saturday night at his home in Pembroke Pines, Fla., a suburb of Fort Lauderdale.

Spikes voluntarily agreed to enter a domestic violence counseling program, said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Police were called to the home by Spikes’ wife, Stacey. The couple is in the midst of a divorce, and Stacey and the Spikes’ two children, Ices, 4, and Irving Jr., 2, were living in Alabama, Rosenhaus said. Stacey brought the children to visit Spikes.

The 5-8, 206-pound Spikes, a free-agent acquisition in 1994, played in 12 games last season and was the team’s second-leading rusher, with 70 carries for 312 yards.

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Coach Bobby Ross, who underwent abdominal surgery Thursday night, expects to return to the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday. “I’m feeling better; I’m doing better,” he said Sunday, speaking to reporters for the first time since entering the hospital.

Meanwhile, 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 was signed as an unrestricted free agent. Saxon 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 for the time being.

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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 for the Bills.

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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 won the No. 3 quarterback spot.