Johnson Downplays Showdown

Not that the hype needs help, but Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson sought to downplay his long-awaited showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

Johnson is facing the Cowboys for the first time since leading them to two Super Bowl titles before being fired by owner Jerry Jones. The two have traded barbs for two years since, as have Johnson and his successor in Dallas, Barry Switzer.

Win or lose, Johnson said, the game will be less important to the Dolphins than their 21-7 victory at AFC East rival Buffalo a week ago.

“I don’t want to downplay this game - we need to win this week. But Buffalo is one of our competitors in our division and has more implications than an NFC game,” he said.

Putting a finger on it

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Alvin Harper lost a portion of the tip of one of his fingers when an assistant trainer inadvertently cut him with a pair of scissors.

The injury occurred before practice last Friday, and the sixth-year pro sat out Sunday’s 13-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

“It was just a freak accident,” Harper said, describing how assistant trainer Jo-Jo Petrone sliced the tip of his left middle finger while taping the palm of the receiver’s right hand, which recently had required stitches for an unrelated injury.

49ers may start third-string QB

Steve Young’s groin injury remains a chronic problem and Elvis Grbac is bothered by a shoulder strain, leaving a chance the San Francisco 49ers could go to Houston this coming Sunday with third-stringer Jeff Brohm at quarterback.

“I’m really up in the air as far as (the starting quarterback) is concerned, which seems to be customary around here the last few weeks,” coach George Seifert said. “I have to see how Elvis comes along and see how Steve is. If Steve can function like he did in the second half of (a comeback 28-21 win over Cincinnati), I believe he would be the starter.”