Bears Release Chris Zorich

The Chicago Bears waived defensive tackle Chris Zorich, their second-round draft pick in 1991.

Zorich, 28, missed all of 1996 after tearing a knee ligament. He underwent thumb surgery in August and had played in only three games this season, making just two tackles.

He was the team’s fourth defensive tackle and by cutting him after eight weeks, the Bears can save $400,000.

In other moves, the Bears signed fullback Mike Dulaney and veteran offensive guard-center Greg Huntington and waived defensive back Terry Cousin.

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The St. Louis Rams activated rookie offensive lineman Ryan Tucker from the physically unable to perform list and plan to play him Sunday at Atlanta.

The Rams found room for him on the 53-man roster by releasing running back Ron Moore.

They also put backup safety Gerald McBurrows on the injured reserve list.

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Arizona Coach Vince Tobin said quarterback Jake Plummer will start again this weekend when the Cardinals play host to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Behind Plummer on the depth chart is Kent Graham, who is still limping on an ankle he sprained Oct. 12.

The third-string quarterback is Stoney Case, who was ineffective in the first 50 minutes of play at Philadelphia on Oct. 19.

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NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue hailed Rankin Smith, the man who brought professional football to the deep South as owner of the Atlanta Falcons, as a visionary at a memorial service for Smith, who died Sunday of heart failure at 72.