Jones Denies Firing Report

Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones denies he intends to fire Coach Barry Switzer as early as next week.

The Washington Post quoted NFL sources as saying Switzer might be fired next week and replaced by scouting director Larry Lacewell, who would become interim coach.

“That is not true. I have repeatedly said Barry Switzer is the coach of the Cowboys and will continue to be coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Lacewell told the newspaper the report is “ridiculous.”

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The Chicago Bears have suspended defensive end Alonzo Spellman without pay over his refusal to have surgery on his injured left shoulder as recommended by team doctors.

Spellman, in the second year of a four-year, $11.6-million contract, has not played since the fourth game of the season, a 31-3 loss at New England on Sept. 21 in which he injured the shoulder.

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Ty Detmer will start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, replacing Rodney Peete, who started the last three games. . . . Danny Kanell, the catalyst for much of a five-game winning streak that moved the New York Giants into first place in the NFC East, is going to continue as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. . . . Eagle center Steve Everitt, charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia earlier in the week, apologized “for any embarrassment and distraction” the incident has caused.