Arrington Might Sit Out Four Weeks

Washington Redskin linebacker LaVar Arrington is expected to sit out two to four weeks, including Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, after a sudden flare-up forced him to have surgery on his right knee.

Arrington skipped practice Thursday to fly to Birmingham, Ala., to see a team doctor, who repaired torn cartilage in the knee that has been bothering the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker since the opening-week victory over Tampa Bay. Arrington will be on crutches for a least a week.

“It’s just one of those things that happens and you’ve got to take care of,” Coach Joe Gibbs said. “He’s somebody that we think is going to play for a long time, so we want to take good care of him.”

Meanwhile, quarterback Mark Brunell was a spectator again during practice because of a strained hamstring. Gibbs stopped short of declaring Patrick Ramsey the starter against Dallas, but the coach said that would be his expectation “from what we know today.”

Arrington said he hurt his knee when he “took a bad step” during the win over the Buccaneers. He was limited in practice last week, but he played in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants.

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The Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers were investigating the possibility of moving their game up one day to Saturday because of the looming Hurricane Jeanne.

The Steelers will fly to South Florida today, one day ahead of their typical travel schedule.

Dolphin spokesman Harvey Greene said a decision could be made this morning.

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Jacksonville Jaguar defensive end Paul Spicer will sit out the rest of the season because of a broken right leg.

Spicer, who started the Jaguars’ first two games, underwent surgery Wednesday and was put on injured reserve. The Jaguars re-signed veteran offensive lineman Mike Compton to replace Spicer on the roster.

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Cleveland Brown cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon and Anthony Henry sat out part of practice and could sit out Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

McCutcheon had surgery Tuesday on a middle finger broken in last week’s loss at Dallas. Henry had a concussion and is still suffering from vertigo, Brown Coach Butch Davis said.

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Running back Edgerrin James, sidelined two days because of a strained hamstring, returned to practice and could be ready to play when the Indianapolis Colts play host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

James, who strained his left hamstring on a late touchdown run against Tennessee, took part in individual and team drills before sitting out the last 30 minutes of practice.

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Atlanta Falcon running back Warrick Dunn returned to practice Thursday and is expected to play Sunday against Arizona.

Dunn sprained his left knee in last weekend’s 34-17 victory over St. Louis. He was back at practice after sitting out Wednesday.

“He did everything, just like we thought he would, and he’s fine,” Coach Jim Mora said after the 2 1/2 -hour workout.

Dunn is tied for the NFL lead with four touchdowns. Atlanta is 2-0 for the first time since 1998.