PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : NFC : Sanders’ Contract Squabble Settled

The NFL and the players’ union settled Deion Sanders’ contract, allowing the star cornerback to play for the rest of the season and removing the dispute from the courts.

In a matter that again pitted Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones against the NFL, the team will now be charged an additional $1.6 million against their salary cap over the next four years.

But the settlement also charges the Cowboys far more under the cap--as much as $6.2 million--if they cut Sanders in 1998.

Also for the Cowboys, starting defensive lineman Leon Lett and reserve cornerback Clayton Holmes, both under scrutiny for possible violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, missed practice Wednesday and Coach Barry Switzer said it was for “personal reasons.”

Switzer said he had no idea where the two players were although several players speculated off the record that Lett and Holmes could be in New York pleading their case with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The NFL said it had no knowledge of any such hearing.

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The St. Louis Rams have a new kicker and maybe a new set of running backs.

The Rams settled on Dean Biasucci to replace rookie Steve McLaughlin, who was released Monday. Coach Rich Brooks has to decide whether to risk Jerome Bettis re-aggravating a sprained foot again for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. Bettis’ backup, Leonard Russell, suffered turf toe last week, but may have a better chance of playing.

Third-down specialist Johnny Bailey could start Sunday, and former Raider Greg Robinson, signed as a free agent Wednesday, could get a lot of playing time.

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The Minnesota Vikings got good news when tests showed that linebacker Jack Del Rio sustained only minor damage to his left knee during Monday night’s loss to Chicago.