Steelers Get Good News on Stewart

Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Kordell Stewart’s knee injury was confirmed as a sprained medial collateral ligament that should not keep him out of the Aug. 31 opener against Dallas.

Stewart, injured in the second quarter of a 28-20 exhibition victory Sunday over Detroit, underwent an MRI test that supported the initial on-field diagnosis of a sprained MCL, meaning a slight tear of the ligament.

Stewart, who has never started an NFL regular-season game at quarterback but has led the Steelers to a 4-0 exhibition record, will spend this week mostly rehabilitating and resting.

Stewart didn’t even take Monday off, returning to Three Rivers Stadium to ride a stationary bicycle after undergoing the MRI test.

“There’s no sign of swelling--and that’s a good sign,” Steeler Coach Bill Cowher said. “He won’t play this week, but we hope he’ll be ready for Dallas, and that’s as good as could be expected.”

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Baltimore Raven first-round draft pick Peter Boulware, who ended a long holdout Saturday, was at practice but did not participate because details of his six-year, $18.5-million contract were being completed.

“I’m really antsy. I need to get ready,” Boulware said.

“We expected Peter to be there today. Part of the practice was set up for him, but it’s just one of those things that happens,” Coach Ted Marchibroda said. “There’s nothing we could do about it, so we just had to go ahead without him.”

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San Diego Charger linebacker Junior Seau returned to practice, although only as a spectator, as he continues his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Otherwise, it was a day for deletions as 17 players were released by the Chargers. Among them were third-string center Bryan Stoltenberg, a sixth-round draft pick in 1996, and Chris Singleton, who was signed on Aug. 7 because of injuries to the linebacking corps. Singleton started 13 games for Miami last year.

Seau spent the last two weeks resting his surgically repaired left knee and began his rehabilitation Monday.

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Ten players, including three with previous pro experience, were cut by the New York Jets. Waived were defensive end Jeff Cummins, tight end Brian Gaine and running back Lou D’Agostino, all of whom were in NFL camps in previous years.

Rookies cut were wide receivers Joe Douglass and Todd Doxzon, defensive backs Steve Rosga and Anthony Walker, tackle Troy Stark and linebackers Craig Guest and Tyrone Hines.

Rosga was the only 1997 draft pick released; he was taken in the seventh round out of Colorado.

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Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver David Dunn will be sidelined until mid-September after breaking his hand in Saturday’s exhibition game. Dunn, the team’s third receiver, caught 32 passes last season. Also, seven players were cut, including last season’s starting safety, Bracey Walker, and offensive tackle Melvin Tuten, who started seven games in 1996.