Packers Call on Morgan for Assistance

Anthony Morgan arrived in Green Bay on Monday to rescue his football career and revive the Packers’ depleted receiving corps.

Morgan was a part-time starter at split end for the Packers last year, and signed a three-year, $2-million contract with a $450,000 signing bonus during the off-season. But he was waived in the final cutdown in what General Manager Ron Wolf called “the toughest cut of my time here.”

The Packers begged him to return after Brett Favre lost his top two targets--Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman--because of injuries.

“Just seeing the guys made me put everything behind me and look forward to helping this team win some football games,” Morgan said after passing a physical and getting his old locker back.

“I’m not going to hold any grudges, because that’s not my nature.”

Morgan, who caught 60 passes for 741 yards and eight touchdowns for Green Bay between 1993-95, said he has been working out in the weight room but not sprinting.

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Steve Young remembers the hit that gave him the concussion. That, along with his rapidly diminishing headaches, left the 49er quarterback encouraged he would be able to play at New Orleans on Sunday.

“I got some of my memory back pretty quick, and then overnight I got a lot a sleep and I really feel a lot better,” Young said Monday. “My head doesn’t hurt too much today and that’s a really good sign, that you can shake your head and it’s not real painful.”

Young, who has been playing most of the season with a groin strain, was knocked out of Sunday’s game at Houston on the third play, when he was hit by charging linebackers Micheal Barrow and Joe Bowden as he rolled out and set up to pass. Unknown to most of the players, the play had been whistled dead because of a timeout called by a Houston defensive back an instant before the snap.

Though Young was listed as probable for Sunday’s game at New Orleans, Coach George Seifert said the team would be cautious about Young’s return.

The 49ers played much of the Houston game without tackle Harris Barton and guard Chris Dalman. Barton aggravated a groin injury and Dalman had a slight concussion.

Seifert said he’s hopeful Dalman can play this week at New Orleans but that Barton remains questionable.

Meanwhile, Seifert said Brent Jones (shoulder) would return to practice this week but probably wouldn’t play Sunday.

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The St. Louis Rams released backup defensive end Alberto White, who went on a profane tirade against the media in the locker room after the Rams’ loss Sunday. White, a free agent from Texas Southern who was used sparingly in three games, told reporters to clear out, but used a lot stronger words.

Coach Rich Brooks said White, whose nickname is “Mad Cow,” was released because of his conduct. The Rams also released White last year after he yelled at an assistant coach.

“He has been on the border since he’s been here, and it’s certainly not the type of image we want,” Brooks said. “We want to make sure our players understand they have a duty to represent this organization, at least in a more professional manner, dealing with the public and the media.”

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The Atlanta Falcons signed running back Jamal Anderson to a three-year contract extension. He leads the Falcons in rushing with 584 yards and also has 26 receptions for 224 yards. He ranks sixth in the NFL with 808 yards from scrimmage.

Anderson, who signed a one-year, $196,000 contract during training camp, agreed to a deal that will keep him in Atlanta through 1999. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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The Philadelphia Eagles cleared out extra money they had under this year’s salary cap to extend the contracts of fullback Kevin Turner and linebacker William Thomas, according to senior vice president Joe Banner.

Thomas got a six-year deal that will pay him $15.75 million. The value of Turner’s deal, which covers five years, was not known.