Banks Signs With Redskins

Tony Banks joined the quarterback-depleted Washington Redskins on Thursday, two days after a bitter release from the Dallas Cowboys nearly made him quit the sport.

“One day you’re on one team, the next day you’re on the other,” Banks said. “It’s not how I pictured it, but here I am.”

Banks signed a one-year deal and will battle Todd Husak for the No. 2 job behind Jeff George. Right now, however, Banks is the only healthy veteran arm in camp at Carlisle, Pa.--George has tendinitis in his shoulder, and Husak has a strained rib muscle.

Banks was in uniform for Thursday afternoon’s practice but will not play in tonight’s exhibition game against Atlanta. Unless Husak’s condition improves, fourth-round draft pick Sage Rosenfels will start.

Banks has 61 career NFL starts over five seasons, but he has lost the No. 1 job in St. Louis, Baltimore and now Dallas. The Cowboys signed him as the replacement for Troy Aikman in April, but he was cut after two exhibition games.

*

Denver quarterback Steve Beuerlein faces another round of rehabilitation on a troublesome elbow that could force him to sit out his first season with the Broncos.

Beuerlein, penciled in as a backup to starter Brian Griese, will miss at least the first eight weeks of the regular season after MRI tests revealed a partially torn tendon in his right elbow.

*

Philadelphia Controller Jonathan Saidel wants the company responsible for maintaining the artificial turf at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium fired.

Texas-based Southwest Recreational Industries was paid $1.8 million to install the NeXturf field and gets another $380,000 a year to convert the field from baseball to football between Phillie and Eagle games.

Saidel said he has stopped payment on the maintenance contract and is inclined not to send any further checks, based on the company’s failed attempt to roll out the carpet Monday for the Eagles’ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, which was called off after NFL officials and players complained the turf was uneven.

*

Minnesota’s defense set up a 10-point flurry late in the first half and the Vikings won their second exhibition game since the death of Korey Stringer, 24-10 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. A moment of silence for Stringer was held before the game, the Vikings’ first at the Metrodome since the offensive lineman died from heatstroke Aug. 1. . . . Kerry Collins, Jason Garrett and Jesse Palmer threw touchdown passes and the New York Giants beat the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-5, snapping a seven-game preseason losing streak.

*

The Arizona Cardinals released strong safety Tommy Bennett, a starter from 1997 to 1999 who saw limited playing time last season. . . . The Buffalo Bills released veteran tackle Robert Hicks. . . . Tampa Bay defensive end Marcus Jones strained his right hamstring in practice and is questionable for Saturday’s game at Cleveland.