The Washington Redskins cleared salary cap room to sign top draft pick quarterback Heath Shuler on Monday by releasing former BYU offensive lineman Mo Elewonibi.
Shuler, in the 12th day of his holdout, still has not signed. But the two sides had agreed on most of the numbers on an eight-year contract worth more than $19 million, the Washington Post reported in Tuesday's editions.Earlier Monday, coach Norv Turner would not confirm that a deal was close to completion. However he indicated he expects Shuler to be in camp soon.
Offensive line coach Jim Hanifan said Elewonibi, who was due to earn $500,000, was cut because of the salary cap and because the team has added young offensive linemen, second-round pick tackle Tre' Johnson, and third-round selection Joe Patton, a guard.
"It certainly isn't the end of his career or anything of that nature," Hanifan said. "And by being released now, it certainly gives him the opportunity to secure a place somewhere else in the league. ... He's too good a football player for it not to happen."
Elewonibi, a five-year veteran, started 15 games last season after replacing left tackle Jim Lachey, who was injured in the preseason.
A third-round 1990 draft pick out of Brigham Young, Elewonibi spent the 1990 and 1991 seasons on injured reserve.
Chiefs
First-round draft pick Greg Hill is wasting no time getting involved with his new team.
Hill, a running back from Texas A&M, signed a four-year contract with Kansas City on Monday night for a package worth about $3 million, and will join the team as it travels to Japan for a preseason game.
Cowboys
The two games Derrick Lassic started for the Dallas Cowboys last year are probably two more than he will appear in this season.
Lassic, who replaced Emmitt Smith during the Super Bowl MVP's holdout in 1993, injured the quadriceps tendon in his right knee during Sunday night's exhibition victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
The second-year running back from Alabama likely will be out three to four months, and be placed on injured reserve, meaning he would be ineligible for this season.
"It just makes you sick to think you've lost a quality player like him," Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said Monday. "Here you're losing a player who can win ball games for you."
Rams
Los Angeles found out that third-year quarterback T.J. Rubley's problems through the first 10 days of training camp are more than psychological.
Rubley, who started seven games last season, has tendinitis in his right elbow and will sit out at least one week of practice. The team suspects the ulnar nerve is either pinched or damaged.
There was speculation that Rubley was feeling the pressure from the acquisition of Chris Miller and Chris Chandler.
Bears
Second-year tight end Chris Gedney has recovered sufficiently from last year's broken collarbone and injured heel to be named the starter for Chicago's exhibition opener Friday against the Eagles.
Gedney caught 10 passes for 98 yards as a rookie last season but missed nine games.
Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles, the last NFL team to bar the media from weekday practices, will allow reporters to watch the team's practices this season.
"With the type of team we have, it's the right thing to do," said coach Rich Kotite said.
49ers
The San Francisco 49ers could be down to one healthy tight end for their exhibition opener Friday night at Tempe, Arizona.
Coach George Seifert said backup tight end Ted Popson was given an injection to try to reduce pain and swelling from a lower back problem. He is not expected to play against the Cardinals, joining starting tight end Brent Jones (ankle) and backup Brett Carolan (Hamstring) on the sidelines.
Bryce Burnett is the only healthy tight end in camp.
"Carolan has a slight pull but it's enough to keep him out maybe (today)," Seifert said. "We think he'll be able to play in the ballgame but it's not inconceivable that we'll go into the game with one tight end, unless we can knock him off between now and then."
Saints
Dave Cadigan is another victim of the NFL's salary cap.
Cadigan, the New York Jets' No. 1 pick in 1988, worked out recently for New Orleans and was impressive. However, coach Jim Mora said the team doesn't have enough money under the cap to afford him.