Dallas Gains Aikman, Loses Lett

On the same day that quarterback Troy Aikman returned to practice, Dallas Cowboy teammate Leon Lett was sidelined for the season after the defensive tackle suffered a sprained left knee during practice.

The Cowboys had placed defensive tackle Chad Hennings on the injured reserved list earlier in the day. Hennings is sidelined because of a possibly career-ending neck injury.

Aikman, who is battling a bad back, practiced for the first time in nearly two weeks and was optimistic he can start Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

With Randall Cunningham sitting out practice because of fluid on his knee, Aikman got a full workout with the first team. Third-stringer Clint Stoerner also took some snaps.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneer Coach Tony Dungy said he spoke with assistant Wendell Avery, who has been missing since Sunday, but shed little light on Avery’s whereabouts. Atlanta police are still listing Avery as missing. . . . Five kickers auditioned to replace Washington Redskin kicker Kris Heppner, who missed two fourth-quarter field-goal attempts in Sunday’s 16-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Eddie Murray, Scott Bentley, Jimmy Kibble, Dan McGuire and Jon Baker were brought in, and Coach Norv Turner said any signings would be announced today. . . . Minnesota Viking cornerback Cris Dishman could sit out Sunday against the Cardinals because of a mild shoulder separation, an injury he suffered during the third quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Dishman refused to say whether the injury hampered him on the overtime pass that wound up first on the shoulder and then in the hands of the Packers’ Antonio Freeman for the improbable winning touchdown. . . . Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions after suffering a concussion against Tampa Bay. Danny Kanell is the probable starter. . . . Green Bay running back Dorsey Levens had right knee surgery and could sit out the rest of the season. . . . Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch, recovering from a mild concussion, is listed as probable for Sunday’s game. Starting offensive tackle Ray Roberts will sit out because of an Achilles’ tendon injury. . . . New York Giant cornerback Jason Sehorn practiced for the first time since suffering a broken rib last month, and hopes to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. . . . The Cardinals put rookie tight end Jay Tant on injured reserve and re-signed tight end Derek Brown.