The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Emmitt Smith will return to Dallas on Oct. 5, the first time he will face the Cowboys since joining the Arizona Cardinals.

That game at Texas Stadium, in the fifth week of the season, is one of the highlights of the NFL's 2003 schedule, which was released Thursday.

Smith, the NFL's career rushing leader, signed last week with the Cardinals. He was released by the Cowboys Feb. 27 after 13 seasons.

Dallas finished 5-11 each of the past three seasons but has several featured games, largely because of new coach Bill Parcells.

The Cowboys will play Monday night in the Meadowlands on Sept. 15 against the New York Giants, the team Parcells coached to two Super Bowl victories. Dallas will return 13 days later to face the New York Jets, whom Parcells coached from 1997-99. The Cowboys will be at New England on Nov. 16 to play the Patriots, the team he coached to the AFC title in 1996. The Giants visit Texas Stadium Dec. 21.

There will be three new stadium openings or renovations. Green Bay will play Minnesota at renovated Lambeau Field Sept. 7. The Monday night opener the next day will showcase Tampa Bay at Philadelphia's new park across the street from old Veterans Stadium. The Packers will travel to Chicago for a Monday night game Sept. 29, the Bears' first game in the new Soldier Field.

NINERS: The San Francisco 49ers gave receiver J.J. Stokes permission Thursday to seek a trade.

Stokes, a perennial underachiever who lost his job as the 49ers' No. 2 receiver to Tai Streets last year, probably will be released after June 1 if his agents can't arrange a deal.

"That does not necessarily mean that he won't be back with the 49ers next year," general manager Terry Donahue said of the club's decision to allow Stokes to pursue a trade. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

Stokes had 32 receptions for 332 yards and a touchdown last season while starting eight games. He began the season as the 49ers' top receiving option behind All-Pro Terrell Owens, but Stokes was slowed by injuries that allowed Streets to take his job.

An eight-year veteran, Stokes has been a bust since San Francisco drafted him in the first round in 1995. He has 327 career receptions for 4,139 yards and 30 touchdowns, but injuries and inconsistent play have limited him to a minor role in the offense.

Last summer, Stokes agreed to a significant salary reduction that allowed him to remain with the 49ers, who were prepared to cut him before training camp.

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