Steelers Lose Woodson For Remainder Of Year To Torn Knee Ligament

All-Pro cornerback Rod Woodson, who missed only four games to injury in eight NFL seasons, will now learn what it’s like to miss nearly an entire season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ worst fears were realized Monday when MRI tests disclosed the six-time Pro Bowl cornerback has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He will undergo surgery later this week and probably won’t play again until 1996.

When the Seattle Seahawks play the defending AFC champion Chargers in San Diego this week, they’ll be without starting defensive end Antonio Edwards and backup middle linebacker Dean Wells, as well as No. 3 receiver Ricky Proehl.

Edwards, Seattle’s starter at right defensive end, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today for what the Seahawks suspect is cartilage damage. He will miss at least two games.

Wells tore a ligament in his right elbow and will be out a minimum of two games.

The biggest loss is Proehl, who averaged 57 catches for five straight seasons with Arizona. Proehl, who broke his right fibula bone near the ankle, could be out as long as eight weeks.

Denver Broncos’ defensive lineman Michael Dean Perry will undergo surgery today to repair cartilage in his right knee. He is expected to be out three to 12 weeks.

Oakland Raiders left tackle Gerald Perry underwent surgery on his fractured right arm and is expected to be sidelined up to six weeks.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced a seven-year sponsorship deal with Nike that includes a joint venture to build a theme park at Texas Stadium.