49ers Cut Touchdown-Victim McMillian

Cornerback Mark McMillian, the NFL’s smallest player at 5 feet 7, was released by the San Francisco 49ers in the aftermath of a 31-29 loss to Carolina in which Panther receivers went over him for three touchdown receptions.

San Francisco filled the roster vacancy by re-signing quarterback Pat Barnes for the third time in a month. Barnes was the emergency quarterback for two of the three games Steve Young has missed while sidelined from the effects of a concussion.

Young remains out indefinitely because of his fourth concussion in three years. He is expected to seek additional medical opinions this week and a decision could be made by next week on his future.

*

St. Louis Ram receiver Tony Horne, who returned kickoffs for touchdowns in each of the last two games, was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. . . . New York Giant kicker Brad Daluiso will be sidelined for the season after suffering a knee injury in Monday’s victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Daluiso suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while attempting to tackle Kevin Mathis on the game’s last play after giving the Giants the lead with a 21-yard field goal with one second left. . . . Philadelphia Eagle defensive end Hugh Douglas needs surgery for torn biceps and could be sidelined for the season. Douglas suffered the injury fighting off blockers while chasing running back Curtis Enis in the Eagles’ 20-16 victory over the Chicago Bears. . . . The Arizona Cardinals signed Arena Football League quarterback Sherdrick Bonner to a one-year contract. Bonner, a Cal State Northridge product who played for the Arizona Rattlers, will back up Dave Brown and rookie Chris Greisen as the Cardinals’ third-string quarterback during Jake Plummer’s four- to six-week recovery from a broken finger.