Smith’s Knee Sprained; Cowboy May Play Dec. 3

Running back Emmitt Smith walked Friday. The danger passed for the Dallas Cowboys.

A magnetic resonance imaging test performed at Baylor University Medical Center Friday found no structural damage to Smith’s left knee. The official diagnosis is a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament, which connects two bones and provides stability to the middle of the knee.

“We’re thrilled with the news,” team owner Jerry Jones said.

Smith’s condition will be updated Monday, and doctors said he could play as early as next week.

Smith, the NFL’s leader in rushing with 1,403 yards, injured the knee making a cut to his left during the third quarter of Thursday’s victory against Kansas City at Texas Stadium. He crumpled to the turf without being touched and had to be carried from the field.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler will sit out Monday night’s road game against the San Diego Chargers. He is recovering from a bruised left shoulder and broken bone in his left hand.

Vince Evans will make his second start of the season in place of Hostetler.

In Cleveland, an Ohio judge issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the Browns from moving to Baltimore until a trial is held in the city’s lawsuit against team owner Art Modell.

In a 5-second hearing, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Kenneth Callahan announced he had ruled in favor of the city. Callahan heard three days of testimony earlier this week on the city’s request for the injunction.

The city is seeking an order forcing the team to stay in Cleveland Stadium until the Browns’ lease expires in 1998.