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Thursday, August 28, 1997

Deion Sanders expects to play on Sunday

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - The bulging disk in Deion Sanders' back has prevented him from playing baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, but it apparently won't stop him from playing cornerback Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday he doesn't see any contradiction.

"He doesn't need to be competing in anything for the next three days," Jones said, "Everyone we've talked to thought he would physically be able to play football and baseball by this weekend, so it's not surprising he's getting ready to play for us."

Sanders, through a team spokesman, declined to comment.

The Cowboys' coaching staff, which hands out the game plan on Wednesday, was pleased to see Sanders because Wednesday and Thursday are their most important days of preparation. Reds' manager Jack McKeon was not happy.

He didn't know Sanders had left the Reds until he arrived at Coors Field, where the Reds were playing the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

Jones said he talked to Sanders, who has not played baseball since Aug. 16, Tuesday night, and they decided it would be more advantageous for Sanders to rehab his back in Dallas because the Reds would be on the road.

Then Sanders received permission from Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden to leave. Bowden, however, said he forgot to tell the Reds' public relations department to inform McKeon of his decision.

"We talked about it, and it made the most sense to everyone," Bowden said. "It's not right to rush him to play Friday, when he'll be leaving on Saturday."

With Sanders out, the Reds have been playing Jon Nunnally and Chris Stynes in the outfield.

McKeon did not seem anxious for Sanders, who is expected to play baseball on Monday, to rejoin the team.

"I'm not so sure where he fits in when he comes back," McKeon said. "But I sure can't take (Nunnally) out, and I'm certainly not taking Stynes out."

For much of the past week, Sanders' routine has included doing football drills in the clubhouse before games, while his teammates were doing their pre-game stretching.

Lenny Harris, Sanders' closest friend on the Reds, defended his teammate.

"His back is hurting," said Harris, "and he's not doing anything good for the (Reds)."

Sanders did not practice Wednesday, and he is expected to participate in only limited team drills the rest of the week because the Cowboys do not want to aggravate his back injury.

"We're going to abuse our time to rest him," said trainer Jim Maurer, "because that gives him the best opportunity to be ready."

Coach Barry Switzer said the Cowboys would like to see Sanders field some punts this week to determine his availability for Sunday's game.

If Sanders can't return punts, rookie Kevin Mathis will get the job. He returned four punts for a 7.8-yard average during training camp.

"Deion wants to give himself every opportunity to get our season kicked off to a good start," Jones said. "This was Deion's decision. It has always been his decision. I thought he'd make a smart one."

BROOKS ON INJURED RESERVE

The Cowboys placed rookie receiver Macey Brooks, a fourth-round draft pick, on injured reserve Wednesday.

Owner Jerry Jones said he doesn't expect the Cowboys to sign a receiver to replace him.

Brooks caught seven passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in the pre-season.

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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