The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. - Deion Sanders was released by the Washington Redskins on Monday, clearing the first of several obstacles for him to play in Oakland.The retired cornerback was on the reserve-retired list with the Redskins, the team from which he retired after the 2000 season, one year into his seven-year contract - meaning Washington owns his rights.

Sanders now must clear waivers today for the Raiders to be able to sign him. It wasn't immediately clear whether the team wants him, despite Sanders' recent comments about trying to return to the NFL with Oakland.

A PERFECT 158.3? Giants quarterback Kerry Collins was perfect Sunday against Indianapolis, at least according to the passer-rating formula. He was 23-of-29 for 366 yards and four touchdowns, putting his rating at 158.3, the highest it can be.

According to the NFL, the only other quarterback to pitch a perfect game this season was the quarterback Collins beat Sunday, the Colts' Peyton Manning. He did it Nov.10 in a 35-13 win in Philadelphia when he was 18-of-23 for 319 yards and three TDs.

Since 1972, there have been just 22 such perfect games. They are based on a minimum of 15 attempts in a game.

Passer ratings are determined by a number of factors, including average yards per attempt and touchdown-to-interception ratio. Collins' TD-to-interception ratio Sunday was 4-0 and he averaged 12.6 yards per pass, 50 percent higher than the 8.5 posted by St.Louis Rams rookie Marc Bulger, who leads the league in passer rating at 101.9.

The 158.3 is what comes out when a player gets the maximum in each category.

Five NFL players have perfect ratings for the season, all non-QBs who have thrown one pass that went for a touchdown.

Two are Eagles named Brian - Mitchell and Westbrook. The others are Green Bay's Bubba Franks, Washington Redskins receiver Kevin Lockett and Houston Texans receiver Jabar Gaffney.

BEARS: Quarterback Henry Burris could make the first start of his NFL career in Sunday's season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Starting quarterback Chris Chandler sustained the fifth concussion of his career in the Bears' 24-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers last weekend.

BILLS: Cornerback Chris Watson missed the Green Bay game for disciplinary reasons, but Buffalo coach Gregg Williams wouldn't reveal the nature of the infraction.

BRONCOS: Brian Griese's sprained left knee was still sore, but Denver will not know until later this week whether its quarterback will play against the Arizona Cardinals.

EAGLES: Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said A.J. Feeley will start at quarterback Saturday against the New York Giants because Koy Detmer (elbow) isn't ready to play.

PACKERS: Safety Darren Sharper has a sprained right knee but hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

RAMS: Quarterback Marc Bulger will miss St.Louis' finale next Monday night because of a spinal injury that will not require surgery or harm his career. Rams coach Mike Martz said backup Jamie Martin is questionable for the home game against the San Francisco 49ers, leaving Scott Covington as St.Louis' only healthy QB.