Cowboys Like The Looks Of Sanders

Less than two weeks after having his left ankle repaired, Deion Sanders has begun working out and could be in a Dallas Cowboys uniform by next weekend.

“Deion did some drills, he back-pedaled, played some one-on-one coverage,” coach Barry Switzer said. “He was half-speed, but he looked good doing what he was doing.

“I was excited. I got to see a $35 million man practice. It was my first time seeing that.”

Sanders had an operation on his left ankle Sept. 25 and doctors removed two bone fragments. His ankle is fine, although Switzer said the concern now is Sanders’ left calf muscle, which has atrophied slightly.

Troy Aikman’s performance in Thursday’s practice produced hope the Dallas Cowboys might have their first-team quarterback when they compete with the Green Bay Packers and the top-ranked defense in the NFL.

Switzer said he has become increasingly optimistic Aikman could overcome his strained right calf to start Sunday at Texas Stadium. That was based on an impressive workout in which Aikman took his normal pass drops without pain or footwork problems.

Top receiver retires

A tearful Anthony Carter, unable to bear the pain from a shoulder injury, has bid farewell to football.

Carter, who turned 35 last month, hugged his teammates in the Detroit locker room at Pontiac, Mich., then went upstairs to the Lions’ media room and announced his retirement after 11 years in the NFL, three in the USFL, and an All-America career at Michigan.

Carter signed as a free agent with the Lions in 1994 after nine standout seasons with the Vikings. The two-time Pro Bowl player holds Minnesota records for receiving yards (7,635) and touchdown catches (52), and is second in receptions (478).

Records near

Even if Dan Marino has a subpar game against the Indianapolis Colts, it will be one for the record books.

Marino is on pace to break each of Fran Tarkenton’s career passing records this season. The first - for completions - should fall Sunday. He needs only four to surpass Tarkenton’s 3,686.

Marino has thrown 335 touchdown passes, passed for 46,249 yards and attempted 6,170 passes.

Spikes accused

Miami Dolphins running back Irving Spikes, disciplined in August by coach Don Shula because of a spousal abuse case, was accused by a motorist of brandishing a gun during a traffic dispute in Plantation, Fla.

No charges have been filed, and Spikes has not been arrested. He has emphatically denied the allegation.

McMahon signs

Quarterback Jim McMahon, in his 14th season, has resigned with the Cleveland Browns, although he admits he considered retirement.