Young Receives Go-Ahead To Start For Niners

Steve Young, already cleared by doctors to resume playing after taking last week off as he recovered from a concussion, got the go-ahead from 49ers coach Steve Mariucci.

As expected, Mariucci on Thursday said Young would start Sunday’s home opener against the New Orleans Saints.

“We chose to do that because all the medical people said he’s ready to go,” Mariucci said. “Waiting any longer isn’t going to make the situation any different or any better. Steve is really excited to get back in the lineup. We’re excited to have him back there. He’s going to add some needed juice to this offense.”

The 35-year-old Young will be backed up by rookie Jim Druckenmiller, who made his first NFL start in last Sunday’s 15-12 victory at St. Louis.

Young is returning to the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining his latest concussion when he was kneed in the head by linebacker Hardy Nickerson during a season-opening 13-6 loss at Tampa Bay.

Doctors advised Young, who has had three concussions in his last 10 regular-season games, to take last week’s game off. He was examined again Monday by his neurologist and a second brain expert before receiving medical clearance to play.

“I didn’t have any doubt that I was cleared to play,” Young said. “I just had doubt that the team really was going to let that happen. It was up to them and they wanted to see me practice, see how I felt.”

Young, who has been urged by some of his relatives to consider retiring, said he’s anxious to play again.

Cooke Stadium nearly ready

John Kent Cooke looked up into the rain, pulled a lever in the trademark burgundy color of the Washington Redskins and watched his father’s name go up in lights as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium was officially dedicated Thursday night in Landover, Md.

“I have one regret, and I know you share it, that the one man most responsible, who had the foresight, the determination, the courage to build the stadium is not here to enjoy this moment,” the younger Cooke said.

Jack Kent Cooke, who campaigned 10 years to build the 80,116-seat, $170 million stadium, died of a heart attack in April.

Work is continuing at a feverish pace to complete the stadium in time for Sunday’s inaugural game between the Redskins and Arizona Cardinals. The parking lots were still being paved, the phones had yet to be turned on and highway crews were still erecting directional signs.

Sapp marijuana case dismissed

The misdemeanor drug case against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp was dismissed Thursday, a week after a judge granted a motion to suppress evidence gathered during a traffic stop.

The third-year pro was charged with marijuana possession after police, acting on an anonymous tip, stopped his Mercedes in June and found 3.7 grams of marijuana in the car’s console and nine more in a backpack that a passenger said did not belong to Sapp.

Hillsborough County Judge James Dominguez ordered evidence seized from the car suppressed after an attorney for the athlete argued that the traffic stop was illegal because police observed no reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and Sapp did not violate any traffic laws.

Humphries probable for Sunday

The status of San Diego Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries was upgraded to probable Thursday, so it’s likely he will start in Sunday’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Humphries’ left shoulder was dislocated in a 41-7 loss at New England on Aug. 31. He missed last week’s 20-6 win at New Orleans.