Lloyd Avoids Hard Knocks

As promised, Greg Lloyd knocked Dan Marino out of Monday night’s game. But what Marino did to Lloyd was just as definitive, if less dramatic.

He shut him up.

Lloyd, quoted that he wanted to knock the Dolphins quarterback “into next week,” did exactly that with a straight-on hit that sidelined Marino with a bruised sternum. Yet Marino’s absence was hardly noticed in the final quarter of Miami’s 23-10 victory over Pittsburgh.

Only a week after spending 20 postgame minutes ripping the NFL’s newly toughened restrictions protecting the quarterback, Lloyd shooed reporters away with a wave of his hand and a shout.

Still, plenty of other players, including Dolphins linebacker Bryan Cox, spoke up for Lloyd, even if he wasn’t speaking himself.

“It was as clean a hit as I’ve seen in the league,” Cox said. “I felt bad because I had been teasing Dan all week about Lloyd. I don’t think he knocked him into next week, but probably at least until Saturday night. Every defensive player hopes for a hit like that on the quarterback.”

Marino and Miami have a bye week.

Surgery for Deion

Deion Sanders confirmed he will undergo ankle surgery as soon as the San Francisco Giants are eliminated from the National League West division race.

The arthroscopic surgery, which may be only a few days away, will enable the two-sport athlete to join the Cowboys sooner than expected. He signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with Dallas last week.

Sanders scoffed at speculation he would sit out the 1996 baseball season, expressed a desire to rejoin the Giants and said he was upset by remarks of some 49ers after he signed with the Cowboys.

“I don’t understand that (negative) reaction,” Sanders said before the Giants’ game at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s a business world and the guys (49ers) know what I sacrificed last year.

“I took pay cuts to fulfill a dream (winning a Super Bowl). It’s like all that was for nothing. All I did was praise guys like Eric Davis and Merton Hanks who played with me.”

Jerry Rice was the most vocal on the Sanders matter, unleashing an expletive-filled tirade on Sept. 17. He suggested the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX, not Sanders.

“To say I got too much credit for the Super Bowl is grossly unfair,” Sanders said. “I just wish happiness for the 49ers and for those guys to go on with their lives and not mention me. I just did what was best for my family. It’s what I lve for. If they fault me for that…”

Lewis promoted

Ron Lewis, a starting guard on Washington State’s 1994 Alamo Bowl team, was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster by the Washington Redskins on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Lewis signed with the Redskins as a free agent on June 9, and was released by the team on Aug. 27 when Washington reduced the roster to the mandatory 53-player limit. He was assigned to the practice squad on Aug. 28.

Coaches’ clinics

Miami coach Don Shula, bothered recently by a sore right knee, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage. Shula recuperated at home after surgery and was expected back at practice today.

Bobby Ross switched from IVs to milkshakes as he continued to recover from a bout with dehydration that put him in the hospital for one night.

The San Diego Chargers coach was released from Scrippes Memorial Hospital and returned to his office at Jack Murphy Stadium to begin working on the game plan for Sunday’s home game against Denver.

Rathman says ‘no thanks’

Tom Rathman, the veteran fullback, who was an outstanding blocker for Ricky Watters at San Francisco 49ers, has turned down an offer to play for the Eagles.

Steelers’ Perry signs

Pittsburgh has reached a contract agreement with free safety Darren Perry reportedly worth slightly more than $5.6 million. He is expected to sign today.