Aikman Will Not Play on Sunday

Had the decision been left solely to him, Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman would play in Sunday’s game at Arizona. Cowboy owner Jerry Jones decided otherwise.

Jones said Wednesday the decision to hold Aikman out after his ninth concussion was made after three days of medical evaluations from the team’s training staff and outside physicians.

“It’s not easy, but look at it logically, it’s probably the right decision, the smart decision,” Aikman said. “It’s just difficult not to go out to play when you feel like you can play.”

Randall Cunningham, who the Cowboys acquired as a free agent during the off-season, will start. Rookie Clint Stoerner was signed from the Cowboys’ practice squad to serve as Cunningham’s backup.

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Holdout defensive end Simeon Rice showed up unannounced at the Arizona Cardinals’ practice facility, agreed to a $4.25-million, one-year tender offer, took a physical and then disappeared without consummating the deal. The vanishing act drew a heated reaction from General Manager Bob Ferguson.

“This happens too much in this business, and I’m tired of it,” Ferguson said. “We can’t deal with these guys with kid gloves all the time, and there comes a time when you’ve got to draw the line.”

Rice’s visit was unexpected, so the team had to scramble to line up a doctor for the mandatory physical. After the physical, Rice was asked if he had signed. He glowered back and said, “No.” He then got in his car and drove away.

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Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch signed a four-year contract extension worth $31 million, including a $13-million signing bonus, according to his agent, Tom Condon. But Batch might not be available to play against the Washington Redskins in Sunday’s home opener as he recovers from off-season knee surgery. . . . While St. Louis Ram defensive tackle D’Marco Farr underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, the news was good concerning two other Rams. Cornerback Todd Lyght, who’s questionable because of turf toe, said at most he’ll miss one game. And Az-Zahir Hakim, who had an 86-yard punt return and a 72-yard touchdown catch, said a mild knee sprain wouldn’t keep him out of Sunday’s game at Seattle. . . . New Orleans running back Ricky Williams was a surprise addition to the team’s injury list. Williams has a bruised right foot and a decision is expected today on whether he will play Sunday at San Diego. . . . Fourth-year quarterback Tony Graziani was waived by the Atlanta Falcons to make room for third-year linebacker Chris Bordano, who was waived before the season by the Dallas Cowboys. The loss of linebackers Chris Draft (hamstring) and Mark Simoneau (groin) left the team with only four healthy players at that position for Sunday’s game at Denver. . . . George “Moose” Musso, a lineman who played on four Chicago Bears championship teams and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died in Edwardsville, Ill. He was 90. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder played on offense and defense.