NFC

Sidelined most of last season because of two major knee injuries, Jerry Rice is out to reclaim his standing as the NFL’s premier receiver. Financially, he’s already back on top.

Rice signed a six-year, $36-million contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday in a restructuring that made him the league’s highest-paid receiver while providing the team with some salary cap relief.

The deal for Rice, 35, who is set to return in Sunday’s opener against the New York Jets after sitting out all but two games in 1997, runs through the 2003 season. It included an immediate return in the form of a $4-million signing bonus. Rice’s new pact replaced a seven-year, $31.6-million deal reached two years ago.

The 49ers also gained about $500,000 in cap relief this season, and hope to work out long-term deals with Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes, who played in Rice’s absence last season.

“It’s not about the money. It’s a pride thing,” Rice said. “I feel like I set the standard for receivers and it’s very unique when you have an organization that’s bent over backward to accommodate you and make you feel welcome, so I’m very excited about this situation.”

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The St. Louis Rams waived overweight fullback Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.

Heyward had been on the reserve-did not report list after failing to show up for a training camp weigh-in July 24. The Rams had been fining him $5,000 a day since late July but probably won’t collect any of the money now.

Forcing the issue was Heyward’s decision to report to the team Wednesday. Coach Dick Vermeil said he was looking forward to meeting with Heyward, but then decided it was better to let him go.

AFC / McGlockton May Miss Opener

Four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chester McGlockton, out almost a month because of a back injury, may not be ready for Kansas City’s opener Sunday night against Oakland, Coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

Also unable to practice was the other starting defensive end, John Browning, who has an ankle injury.

The loss of McGlockton, who signed a $30-million contract last spring after winning his release from the Raiders, would be a bitter blow. The Chiefs have been counting on him to provide the defensive pressure up front that had been lacking for several years.

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Mark Stepnoski, Tennessee’s Pro Bowl center, is still bothered because of an injured right knee and is questionable for the Oilers’ game against Cincinnati.