PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : NFC : Aikman Says He’s Ready to Go

Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman was supposed to sit out as many as three games because of a strained right calf muscle. It now looks as if the injury cost him only three quarters.

Aikman said Friday he’s healed enough to start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, although his movement will be severely limited.

“I’m not outrunning anybody, I promise you that,” Aikman said. “I told the guys up front I need a few more ticks on the clock to bail me out. I’ve got to be conscious of that.”

Aikman, who limped off the field in the first quarter of the Cowboys’ 27-23 loss to Washington last Sunday, promised Coach Barry Switzer and owner Jerry Jones he won’t make any mad dashes out of the pocket.

“If it comes time to scramble, I’ll get rid of it,” Aikman said.

Meanwhile, Switzer apologized to his top defensive linemen for criticizing them after the Cowboys’ first loss of the season, and promised he will not cite individual players again.

Switzer called his sharp criticism of Charles Haley, Leon Lett and Tony Tolbert after the Cowboys’ loss to Washington a “regrettable mistake.”