Bears’ Zorich Out for Season

Chicago Bear defensive tackle Chris Zorich will sit out the 1996 season because of a torn knee ligament.

Zorich, who started 47 of 48 games the last three seasons and led Bear linemen in tackles all three years, tore the ligament in the first quarter of Saturday’s exhibition loss to the Saints at New Orleans.

“It’s very frustrating,” Zorich said. “I remember one foot being planted in the AstroTurf and my other foot came down on the wrong angle.”

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Wide receiver and kick returner Kelvin Martin, who played for Dallas for six years, was signed by the Cowboys as they looked for help while Michael Irvin sits out his five-game suspension.

Martin played for the Cowboys from 1987 to 1992 before signing to play for Seattle in 1993 and 1994. He played for Philadelphia last year and became a free agent.

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After two false starts in the personal injury lawsuit against Dallas’ Deion Sanders, the civil trial began with jury selection and opening statements in Cincinnati. . . . Arizona cut defensive lineman Clyde Simmons after signing its first-round draft pick, Simeon Rice, and reaching an agreement with holdout defensive tackle Eric Swann. Rice, the No. 3 overall pick, signed a four-year, $9.5-million contract. Swann, who refused the Cardinals’ $2.57-million, one-year offer after they designated him the franchise player in May, signed a two-year contract for undisclosed terms. . . . New Orleans cut former all-pro running back Lorenzo White, and activated defensive end Darren Mickell, who returned from a treatment center for drugs and alcohol abuse. . . . Offensive lineman Lance Zeno, 29, who played at Fountain Valley High and UCLA, was released by the St. Louis Rams.