Lions Release Former No. 1 Selection Gibson

Offensive tackle Aaron Gibson, Detroit’s top draft pick in 1999, was released Tuesday by the winless Lions.

The 6-foot-6, 380-pound Gibson battled injuries and off-the-field problems after being drafted out of Wisconsin.

He might best be remembered, however, for his final play as a Lion.

In Sunday’s 31-27 loss to Cincinnati, Gibson was whistled for a personal foul that left Detroit in a third-and-28 situation just before the two-minute warning. Coach Marty Mornhinweg pulled Gibson immediately as the Silverdome crowd cheered.

“I feel sorry for him,” cornerback Bryant Westbrook said. “He’s a good guy that I hope can move on with another team.”

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Emmitt Smith won’t practice today because of his sprained right knee, but the Dallas Cowboys are optimistic the second-leading rusher in NFL history won’t miss a game.

“We’ll take that day-to-day. It doesn’t appear to be too bad, so I’m hoping that it’s going to be relatively quick,” Coach Dave Campo said. “If he’s ready at 1 o’clock Sunday, New York time, he’ll start.”

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NFL owners are expected to ratify a three-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the players union today, although they now want the players to help pay for the fast-growing cost of additional security.

The terrorist attacks Sept. 11 forced the NFL to greatly increase security at all games, and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said that one of several remaining unresolved issues deals with paying for that security.

“We emphasized that security is our No. 1 priority, apart from competing on the field,” Tagliabue said. “We started by recognizing the world has changed in some very fundamental ways.”

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Quarterbacks Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Jim McMahon are among 71 former players, coaches and contributors nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2002 class.

Other first-time eligibles include tight end Keith Jackson, offensive linemen Ray Donaldson and Guy McIntyre, defensive linemen Ray Childress and Sean Jones, linebackers Clay Matthews and Darryl Talley, kicker Nick Lowery and Tagliabue.

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The Tennessee Titans might have to rest all-pro running back Eddie George.

The 1995 Heisman Trophy winner never has missed a start, a streak that has reached 86 consecutive games. But he hurt both his legs Monday night in a 34-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“He may need a week off. He may be unable to play as well,” Coach Jeff Fisher said. “I just don’t know at this point.”

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Terry Glenn says he was fined $4,000 by the New England Patriots for refusing to work out on a step exercise machine.

Glenn said he was fined by Coach Bill Belichick for refusing to get on the exercise machine Oct. 24 immediately after running.

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The San Francisco 49ers, apparently clearing salary cap room to re-sign backup quarterback Rick Mirer, waived defensive end John Milem and rookie linebacker Shane Elam. ... Chicago Bear defensive tackle Henry Taylor, who served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s steroid policy, was waived by the team. ... Linebacker Riall Johnson was signed to a three-year contract by the Cincinnati Bengals three days after the team waived him. ... The Minnesota Vikings released safety Henry Jones because injured starter Robert Griffith is almost ready to return from a broken right leg. ... The New Orleans Saints re-signed wide receiver Wane McGarity, three days after releasing him.