Falcons Expected to Cut George

Jeff George won’t become a Seattle Seahawk and probably won’t be an Atlanta Falcon for much longer, either.

The suspended quarterback remained with Atlanta on Tuesday as the NFL trading deadline passed without him agreeing on a new contract with Seattle. George and agent Leigh Steinberg had been talking with the Seahawks about a reported six-year, $30-million contract. The Falcons were prepared to trade George straight up for Rick Mirer, Seattle’s former starting quarterback.

However, George and the Seahawks couldn’t agree before the 1 p.m. PDT deadline, apparently leaving the Falcons with no choice but to cut the seven-year veteran.

“We still have a couple of weeks to decide what to do with Jeff,” Coach June Jones said. “But our options are limited, obviously.”

The coach did rule out George rejoining the Falcons.

“I don’t think Jeff is interested in that and I don’t think we could have him back,” Jones said.

George was suspended by the Falcons after a sideline confrontation with Jones during a Sept. 22 loss to Philadelphia.

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Running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Charlotte, N.C., and the Carolina Panthers say their first-round draft pick will be ready for the 1997 season. Biakabutuka was injured Sept. 29 at Jacksonville.

At the time of the injury, Biakabutuka was the leading rookie ball carrier with 229 yards on 71 carries.

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Contrary to popular belief, wide receiver Michael Irvin’s absence isn’t the only reason the Dallas Cowboys have stumbled this season, said Coach Barry Switzer.

“I think we all have to realize that having Michael back is a tremendous lift to us, emotionally and talent-wise,” Switzer said in Irving, Texas. “But if we continue to play the way we’ve been playing--making dumb mistakes--then Michael’s presence doesn’t help us.”

Switzer, however, conceded that Irvin has been impressive and may help Deion Sanders establish himself as a deep threat.

“I’ve got to honestly say it’s like he was there all year long,” Switzer said. “I saw him yesterday go up about three feet off the ground, spread out with that big wing span, and with three defensive backs around him, he just sucked in the ball. [Backup receiver] Kelvin Martin can’t do that.”

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New Orleans Saint running back Ray Zellars, suspended last weekend for arguing with Coach Jim Mora, returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Zellars is the Saints’ No. 2 rusher with 80 yards in 18 carries.