Irvin, Williams Settle for Reported $1 Million Apiece

The Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Irvin and Erik Williams settled their defamation lawsuit Wednesday against a Dallas-Fort Worth television station for reporting sexual assault allegations that police later said were false.

Attorney Peter Ginsberg and an official for the Dallas-Fort Worth television station said they could not disclose details of the settlement with KXAS reporter Marty Griffin and Lin Television Corp., parent company for KXAS.

However, a source told The Associated Press the settlement calls for the players to split a payment of at least $2 million.

The defamation suit stemmed from the reporting of sexual assault allegations made against the two by Nina Shahravan. Police cleared the players, saying her claims were unfounded.

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Defensive end Simeon Rice’s battle with a mysterious illness took another turn when he left the Arizona Cardinals’ training camp and was transported to a Phoenix hospital for further tests. Rice had suffered a severe migraine-like headache Saturday.

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An MRI test on the sore left knee of New York Giant rookie wide receiver Ike Hilliard was described by a team doctor as inconclusive. Hilliard was still able to practice after undergoing the test.

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Desmond Howard missed his second consecutive day of workouts for the Oakland Raiders because of a slight hamstring strain and cornerback Larry Brown joined him on the sidelines because of a sore toe.

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Detroit Lion linebacker Tom Beer, who blacked out during practice Saturday, was advised by doctors to retire because of neurological problems. . . . The NFL has asked the Lions to make minor accounting changes to running back Barry Sanders’ contract to conform to league salary-cap rules. . . . Minnesota Viking safety Orlando Thomas has pleaded innocent to starting a riot outside a lounge last month in his hometown of Crowley, La.