AROUND THE NFC

Michael Irvin accidentally cut Everett McIver’s neck with scissors during a playful tussle over Irvin’s attempt to jump in line for a haircut, the judge overseeing the receiver’s probation said Wednesday.

“A little wrestling match started out innocently and someone got hurt,” state District Judge Manny Alvarez told the Associated Press about the July 29 mishap at Dallas Cowboy training camp.

Alvarez said investigators for his probation department and the Dallas County district attorney’s office interviewed McIver, Irvin and other witnesses about what happened in a dormitory at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls.

The judge said Irvin approached a group of players in line for haircuts.

“McIver apparently was in line already. Irvin came in and said, ‘Seniority. The veteran players don’t wait in line,’ ” the judge said.

“Everyone was kind of laughing that Irvin got in front of McIver. One of his buddies said, ‘You’re a lineman and you’re going to let a tiny wide receiver get in front of you?’ McIver kind of put a bear hug on him--that’s how it started. They started wrestling.”

The judge said Irvin apparently had a small pair of scissors in his hand that were to be used to carve initials or other marks into his closely cropped hair.

McIver needed stitches to repair a two-inch cut on the right side of his neck and missed several days of training camp.

Alvarez had threatened to send Irvin to prison if he violated terms of the four-year probation Alvarez gave him after the player pleaded no contest in 1996 to felony cocaine possession.

But this incident provided no grounds, Alvarez said Wednesday.

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The Cowboys fell victim to Mexico City’s escalating crime wave during their exhibition loss to the New England Patriots on Monday night when a thief slipped into their locker room and stole cash and credit cards.

An NFL official said the robbery took place during the 21-3 loss at Azteca Stadium. Cash, credit cards and jewelry worth about $2,000 were taken, but the spokesperson did not say which Cowboys players were ripped off. Team officials declined comment.

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Green Bay Packer offensive lineman John Michels will sit out the 1998 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday’s practice.

Michels, the Packers’ first-round draft pick from USC in 1996, was injured while blocking defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday during a one-on-one drill.

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Sticking to their go-slow approach with Jerry Rice, the San Francisco 49ers have ruled out any playing time for their star receiver in Sunday’s exhibition against Miami.

The decision all but ensures that Rice, coming off two major injuries to his left knee, won’t make his return until the Sept. 6 regular-season opener against the New York Jets. The 49ers play their exhibition finale Aug. 28 at Seattle, and it’s even more unlikely Rice would see action on the Kingdome’s artificial turf.

In other 49er news, defensive tackle Bryant Young is appealing a league-imposed $7,500 fine for striking Charger quarterback Ryan Leaf in the head during San Diego’s 27-21 exhibition victory.

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The Philadelphia Eagles released wide receiver Chris T. Jones, who sat out most of last season because of an injured knee.

AROUND THE AFC / Bad Game Wasn’t All Blake’s Fault

Jeff Blake says he hasn’t given up on himself in the battle for the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting job at quarterback, even if some fans have.

Although Neil O’Donnell outperformed Blake in Monday night’s exhibition loss to Indianapolis, teammates pointed out that O’Donnell played with the first team and Blake was victimized by some mistakes from the backup players.

“People have to understand that if we can’t execute all phases of our game, it makes the quarterback look bad, and the quarterback always gets the blame when things go wrong,” running back Eric Bieniemy said.

Blake made a poor decision when he forced a pass that Indianapolis’ Jeff Burris intercepted in the second quarter, Bengal Coach Bruce Coslet said.

Blake did not complete a pass in the first half and finished four for 13 for 59 yards.

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Defensive lineman Bernard Whittington was out, but linebacker Quentin Coryatt, tight end Marcus Pollard and wide receiver Aaron Bailey were back as the Colts began their final phase of preseason work.

“Whittington tore a cartilage in his knee and had it scoped today,” Coach Jim Mora said after the team practiced for the first time since breaking training camp Sunday. “[Doctors] say he’ll miss a couple of weeks. They say he’ll be back for the first game.”

Mora said Coryatt and Pollard had received medical clearance for full-contact drills and should be able to play for the first time Saturday against San Diego. Bailey, out because of a groin injury all month, had his most extensive practice Wednesday.

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The Oilers, who have become known more for empty seats than football the past two seasons, sold out their Nov. 15 home game against Pittsburgh, the first time the team has sold out a game since relocating to Tennessee.