PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Bavaro to Sit Out at Least Six Games

The New York Giants said tight end Mark Bavaro will be sidelined for at least the first six games of the regular season because of continuing knee problems.

Bavaro underwent knee surgery after the Giants’ Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills. The knee has caused him problems since it became injured during the 1989 season.

Coach Ray Handley said that the team is considering signing former Giant tight end Zeke Mowatt, who was released Tuesday by the New England Patriots. Mowatt was fined $14,500 by the NFL for his role in the locker room harassment of Boston sportswriter Lisa Olson on Sept. 17.

Nose tackle Jim Burt, 32, an 11-year veteran who played on Super Bowl teams for the Giants and San Francisco 49ers, reportedly has been persuaded to retire.

Randy Barnes, the 1988 Olympic silver medalist in the shotput who was trying to make the 49ers as a defensive lineman, was told there was no room on the roster.

Frank Warren, 31, a defensive end for the New Orleans Saints who was suspended in April of 1990 after testing positive for drugs a third time, will return to the team after signing a one-year contract.

The World League of American Football said that it will no longer require NFL and Canadian Football League teams to pay a fee for signing its players.

The Denver Broncos said backup quarterback Gary Kubiak appears ahead of schedule in his recovery from back surgery in April and might return to action by Aug. 1.