Tagliabue Upholds Russell’s Suspension

Oakland Raider defensive tackle Darrell Russell cleaned out his locker Wednesday and began serving a one-year drug suspension after the league turned down his appeal.

Russell, who tested positive for the drug Ecstasy, won’t be eligible to play until Jan. 2, 2003, following Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s decision on the appeal.

The former USC standout, who was the Raiders’ first-round pick in the 1997 draft, sat out the first four games this season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

“Darrell has a problem that is well documented,” Raider Coach Jon Gruden said. “This is devastating for a young guy at the top of his profession to have to go through this. I hope he can come back and resume his career.”

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The Atlanta Falcons released 13-year receiver Tony Martin.

Martin, 36, leads Atlanta with 548 yards receiving and is third with 37 receptions. He has 593 career receptions for 9,065 yards with 56 touchdowns.

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Seattle Seahawk Coach Mike Holmgren said Trent Dilfer will start at quarterback against Kansas City in the regular-season finale Sunday.

A victory by the Seahawks (8-7), plus a loss by the Baltimore Ravens or the New York Jets, would give Seattle an AFC wild-card berth.

Holmgren said starter Matt Hasselbeck’s separated left shoulder hasn’t healed completely.

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Jet quarterback Vinny Testaverde said his remarks about the offense’s performance at the end of New York’s 14-9 loss to Buffalo were misconstrued.

“I saw the headlines that said I was blaming [offensive coordinator Paul Hackett for what happened in the game and that really wasn’t the case,” Testaverde said.

“By no means is the relationship between coach Hackett and I any different than it was before the game. We have always had a good working relationship and it remains that.”

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San Francisco 49er running back Garrison Hearst, who sat out the last two seasons because of an ankle injury, was among the players selected for the Pro Bowl game Feb. 9 at Honolulu. Rosters on Page D9.... Jerry Rice left the Raiders to be with his ill father in Mississippi and might sit out against the Jets on Sunday. The Raiders also might be without kicker Sebastian Janikowki, who was hospitalized for cellulitis--a swelling condition--in his kicking foot.