PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : NFC : 49ers Lose Floyd; Young May Return

The 49ers announced that running back William Floyd, who suffered sprained ligaments in his right knee in Sunday’s 11-7 loss to New Orleans, will be lost for the season. Tight end Brent Jones also suffered a knee injury but is expected back in about a month.

The rash of injuries to the 49ers has quarterback Steve Young, who is nursing a shoulder injury, talking about returning for Sunday’s game against Carolina, which has won three in a row.

*

Nobody said it is easy being a kicker in the NFL. Chip Lohmiller of the New Orleans Saints, an eight-year veteran, and rookie Steve McLaughlin of the St. Louis Rams were cut Monday.

Lohmiller missed two field-goal attempts in the Saints’ 11-7 victory over the 49ers on Sunday and McLaughlin was wide left, a familiar problem, on a 32-yard try in the Rams’ 20-9 loss to Philadelphia. Lohmiller was eight for 15 this season and McLaughlin eight for 16.

Of McLaughlin, a third-round draft choice from Arizona, Coach Rich Brooks said, “He may be one of the better kickers in the league in three-four years, two years, next year, I don’t know. But right now it isn’t going to happen for him in St. Louis.”

*

The Dallas Cowboys were not commenting about a report in the Dallas Morning News that said defensive lineman Leon Lett and cornerback Clayton Holmes might be facing suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy after positive drug tests.

“Some things are best not to know,” Coach Barry Switzer said. “That’s being handled by the [league] office. They don’t allow coaches to know about those things.”

Owner Jerry Jones said: “I haven’t been informed by the NFL.”

The Morning News, citing unidentified sources, said Lett and Holmes could be sidelined four to six weeks.

*

Quarterback Dave Brown hyperextended his left knee in the New York Giants’ 24-15 victory over Washington but is expected to play next Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, wearing a brace.