PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Oiler Safety McDowell Out Six Weeks

Houston Oiler starting strong safety Bubba McDowell will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today and will be sidelined about six weeks.

McDowell was hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 15-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

He will be replaced in the Oilers’ starting lineup by Blaine Bishop.

McDowell became the Oiler starter during his rookie training camp in 1989 and has sat out only three games in his five-year career. He sat out the final two games last season because of a strained knee.

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Fullback Edgar Bennett, the Green Bay Packers’ leading rusher and receiver, has a separated right shoulder that might sideline him for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Bennett was hurt in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia when he was slammed to the turf by Eagle linebacker Bryon Evans. He sat out the third quarter, but returned to action in the fourth.

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Dallas Cowboy special teams star Bill Bates, who also plays linebacker in pass defense coverages, suffered a broken left hand in Monday night’s 20-17 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions.

Bates will wear a protective cast and is expected to play in two weeks against the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys are off Sunday.

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Backup linebacker Eric Shaw was suspended by the Cincinnati Bengals for Sunday’s game against the Oilers for conduct detrimental to the team, and it will cost him more than $10,000. Bengal General Manager Mike Brown said Shaw was stopped by Cincinnati police Saturday night or early Sunday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. . . .The Redskins released backup fullback Cedric Smith and safety Sebastian Savage, and signed five-year veteran cornerback Alan Grant, waived by the Cincinnati Bengals. Wide receiver Leslie Shepherd, signed Sept. 5 and cut Sept. 16, was re-signed to the practice squad. The Redskins also promoted running back Tyrone Rush to the active roster from the practice squad. . . . San Diego Charger center Courtney Hall has a torn left biceps tendon, and his streak of 83 starts is in danger of being broken this Sunday.