PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Peterson Wins Cardinal Kick-off

Coach Buddy Ryan assembled seven free agents to audition for injured Greg Davis’ job. Afterward, Ryan said Todd Peterson would kick Sunday against the Redskins in Washington.

“He got the ball up quick even when he was warming up,” Ryan said of Peterson, who was given a physical later. “He was accurate, right down the middle on all his field-goal tries, and he kicked the ball off down to about the four-yard-line. He did everything like we wanted.

“He’s a small guy, but he’s got a lot of power.”

If a hitch develops with Peterson’s physical condition, former New York Jets kicker Cary Blanchard will get the job, Ryan said.

Davis pulled his left hamstring trying to stop Kevin Williams’ 87-yard kickoff return for a Dallas touchdown Sunday.

Davis has said he hoped to return this week, but Ryan said that idea was overly optimistic.

Peterson, 24, who enrolled at Navy but played his last two college seasons at Georgia, said he understood the system.

“I’m paying my dues,” he said. “I’m young, I think I’m getting better. All the feedback I’ve gotten has been positive, and really all I can do is hope that I come out of this with something a little more positive than last year and get a legitimate shot next year.”

Cardinal running back Garrison Hearst will be activated for the game against the Redskins and will see his first action in a year. He tore up his left knee against the Redskins last Oct. 17.

To make room on the active roster for Hearst and Peterson, Ryan released running back Barry Word.

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The Philadelphia Eagles signed punter Bryan Barker, who spent the last four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Barker replaces rookie Mitch Berger, who was cut Monday after averaging 38 yards on 25 punts.

Barker, 30, earned all-rookie honors in 1990 with the Chiefs, and spent this preseason with the Minnesota Vikings but was released Aug. 30.

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Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer said he believed quarterback Joe Montana would be ready for Monday’s game and that he was limiting him in practice so he would not hurt his arm or shoulder by altering his throwing motion to favor his bruised hip. Tight end Keith Cash, who has developed into one of Montana’s best targets, likely will be listed as doubtful because of a knee sprain. Nose tackle Dan Saleamua also has a knee sprain but probably will play. . . . Wide receiver Willie Green, averaging 16.7 yards per catch, was waived Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green, signed this season after spending three years with Detroit, had nine catches for 150 yards and no touchdowns for Tampa Bay. . . . The Cleveland Browns acquired cornerback Reginald Jones from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice. Jones, 25, in his fourth NFL season, sustained a knee injury in the Saints’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, and had arthroscopic surgery.