PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : NFC : Reggie White Out for Season

Just when the Green Bay Packers start looking like a formidable playoff contender, they lose a Reggie White.

The blow came Wednesday when White, the NFL’s all-time sack leader, was declared out for the season because of a hamstring injury that requires surgery.

“He was having a great year and now it’s over,” Coach Mike Holmgren said.

Last season, the Packers found out before their first playoff game that Sterling Sharpe’s neck injury would keep him out for the rest of the season and probably end his career. Sharpe is now an announcer for ESPN.

White did not play last weekend at Tampa Bay, the first time in his 11-year, 166-game NFL career he sat out a game because of injury. Without White, the Packers (9-5) lost a chance to clinch a playoff spot, losing, 13-10, in overtime to the Buccaneers.

White had been expected to return, but Holmgren said an operation was needed to repair what he described as a “disruption in the hamstring behind White’s left knee.”

Dr. Patrick J. McKenzie, the team’s physician who will perform the surgery next week, said White is expected to play next season.

White has 157 sacks, including 12 this year. He’s also forced two fumbles and knocked down four passes this season.

Matt LaBounty probably will start in White’s place.

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Two days after running back Leonard Russell failed to show up for a practice walkthrough, the St. Louis Rams released him. Coach Rich Brooks said Russell, who signed a free-agent deal with the team this summer, also missed some meetings and was late for other team functions. The Rams signed former Minnesota Viking linebacker Ashley Sheppard.

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The Philadelphia Eagles put wide receiver and kick returner Kelvin Martin on injured reserve because of a broken foot and signed tight end Rickey Brady from the New Orleans practice squad.

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Carolina put wide receiver and punt returner Eric Guliford on injured reserve because of a pulled right hamstring. Wide receiver Brian Wiggins was signed off the practice squad.

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Deion Sanders, the Dallas Cowboys’ $35-million cornerback, lost his usual cool, ripping media coverage that has been critical of Coach Barry Switzer following a 20-17 loss to Philadelphia.

“This was a team loss and nobody should take the blame,” Sanders said. “How can you blame Barry Switzer? A coach doesn’t win or lose games. The last coach I saw on the field was Woody Hayes. Players are on the field and that’s why they make the money they make. A coach is on the sidelines and that’s why he makes the money he makes.”