PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Alberts Returns Early for Colts

Linebacker Trev Alberts expects to make his debut for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Alberts, a first-round draft pick, dislocated his right elbow in the Colts’ opening exhibition game, and was expected to sit out the entire season.

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The Dallas Cowboys signed Tommy Hodson as a backup quarterback to Jason Garrett. He beat out fellow veteran free agent Mike Pagel. . . . The Houston Oilers declined Webster Slaughter’s request for a release. The receiver is unhappy about being benched after the team scrapped the run-and-shoot for a two wide receiver offense. . . . New York Giant Coach Dan Reeves said Dave Brown will start at quarterback Sunday at Washington. . . . The Green Bay Packers said they will leave first-round draft pick Aaron Taylor, sidelined all season because of a knee injury, on the physically unable to perform list for the rest of the season.