Atlanta Suspends Qb George

The Atlanta Falcons suspended Jeff George on Monday, one day after the quarterback confronted coach June Jones on the sidelines, and there are strong indications George’s career in Atlanta is over.

“He left me no choice,” Jones said after meeting with George, who departed the Falcons’ complex in Suwanee, Ga., without comment.

Jones, who built his entire run-and-shoot offense around the strong-armed George, said all options would be considered, including a trade, although the quarterback’s $3.64 million contract could be a stumbling block under the salary cap.

George, after being benched in the third quarter of a 33-18 loss to Philadelphia that left the Falcons at 0-3, followed Jones down the sideline, noticeably upset.

Jones said the suspension was for conduct detrimental to the team, including abusive language and “the fact that it went on for 10 minutes.”

After the game, George was repentant about the language he used with his coach. “I guess some of the things I said on the sideline, I’m kind of upset about that,” he said. “I need to learn a little bit … I guess.”

“I think Jeff played at a very high level for us,” Jones said. “I feel for him, but at the same time I feel he left me no option.”

Hebert, 36, will start Sunday at San Francisco. He was a Pro Bowler for the Falcons in 1993, but underwent surgery on his throwing elbow after that season.

Atlanta was carrying only two quarterbacks, and Jones plans to bring in two to back up Hebert. At the top of the list are former Falcons Browning Nagle, Perry Klein and Billy Joe Tolliver.

Rams make change at QB

Three interceptions have changed St. Louis coach Rich Brooks’ mind.

Brooks, who said last week he would “go the course” with Steve Walsh as the Rams’ starting quarterback, has decided to bench Walsh and will start rookie Tony Banks this weekend against Arizona.

Walsh, who passed for 177 yards and three interceptions in a 17-10 loss to Washington on Sunday, has five interceptions, a 42-percent completion rate, no touchdown passes in three games job after being signed as a free agent.

He was demoted all the way to third-string, with Jamie Martin from Weber State backing up Banks.

The Rams’ backup last year, Mark Rypien, is available, but his agent, Ken Staninger, said he’s had no contact with the team about his client since mid-summer.

Around the NFL

Dallas wide receiver Kevin Williams could miss 6-8 weeks because of a foot injury suffered in Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He severely sprained his right foot and suffered a hairline fracture of a bone at the base of the ankle.

Quarterback Steve Young wasn’t around for the finish of the 49ers’ loss at Carolina, and he might not start this Sunday’s game against Atlanta. Coach George Seifert said he is considering whether to rest Young, who aggravated a groin injury when he was pulled down on the 49ers’ first offensive play Sunday, and start Elvis Grbac.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a punter after Josh Miller, signed late in the preseason, suffered a hernia that might require surgery as early as today. He is expected to miss two to six weeks.