AROUND THE LEAGUE

The Washington Redskins aren’t sure when it happened or how it happened. They say they didn’t even find out about it until two days after it happened.

For the team, all that really matters is the net result: Jeff Hostetler, an unhappy third-string presence in the locker room, will be sidelined for the season after apparently re-injuring his right knee while on the sideline during Sunday’s game at Seattle.

“I found out about this last night,” General Manager Charley Casserly said Wednesday. “I didn’t get into specifics with him. He said his leg was hit, I believe by a helmet, and that caused the instability in the knee.”

So, for the second consecutive Wednesday, Hostetler cleaned out his locker and left Redskin Park without comment. This time, it’s certain that he won’t be back this year. The Redskins put him on injured reserve, and the 15-year veteran started making arrangements for an operation that could require up to six months of rehabilitation.

*

Determined to keep his strained right hamstring from lingering throughout the season, Denver quarterback John Elway might skip Sunday’s game at Washington. “It’s a matter of whether I think I can go in there and perform, not hold us back and also not set myself back,” Elway said. “The last thing you want to do is set yourself back for three or four weeks.” . . . One day after thinking he might be ready to start Sunday against Philadelphia, Kansas City quarterback Elvis Grbac said he’s almost certain to remain sidelined. Grbac, who suffered a mild shoulder separation in the Chiefs’ season opener, felt pain when throwing Wednesday. Backup Rich Gannon, who has started the last two games, will be the starter against the winless Eagles, who have their own troubles. Quarterback Bobby Hoying, who strained his lower back in a loss to Arizona last week, did not practice Wednesday and his status is in doubt for Sunday’s game. . . . Desperate to revive an offense that is averaging only one touchdown a game, Baltimore Raven Coach Ted Marchibroda named Eric Zeier his starting quarterback and gave the halfback job to unheralded Priest Holmes. Holmes will make his first NFL start Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Zeier, who appeared in relief in each of the Ravens’ first three games, will start for the eighth time in his four seasons as a pro. . . . Troy Aikman, sidelined by a broken collarbone, has set Oct. 11 against the Carolina Panthers as his target game to return to the Dallas Cowboy lineup. . . . The St. Louis Rams will have a new running back Sunday, but it won’t be Lawrence Phillips. Coach Dick Vermeil said rookie Robert Holcombe will start when the Rams play host to the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, Phillips worked out for the Green Bay Packers.