A paintball shot in the groin left rookie LaRon Landry unable to practice when the Washington Redskins opened their mini-camp yesterday at Ashburn, Va.

The No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft was injured during a team-building outing Wednesday, when coach Joe Gibbs allowed the players to leave early at the end of the voluntary spring workouts. Some players went bowling or had lunch together, while many of the defensive players went to play paintball.

"I didn't know paintball was that dangerous," linebacker Marcus Washington said. "I hope it wasn't friendly fire."

Landry was on the sidelines when practice began, but within minutes he left and began laboring slowly up the hill toward the team's main building, appearing to favor his left leg.

Gibbs said Landry should be fine after a couple of days' rest.

"It's kind of bizarre," Gibbs said. "Almost anything can happen in life, so every now and then something like that does happen."

49ERS

MUSCLE TEAR ENDS CB TUCKER'S SEASON

San Francisco cornerback B.J. Tucker will miss the season after tearing his pectoral muscle during offseason workouts.

An MRI exam revealed the injury, which will require surgery and at least four months of rehabilitation, coach Mike Nolan said yesterday.

The two-year veteran, who was hurt Tuesday, was a candidate for a backup job this fall.

SAINTS

RECEIVER LEWIS, DE WHITEHEAD RELEASED

New Orleans cut Michael Lewis and Willie Whitehead yesterday, parting ways with two players who made the team as undrafted free agents.

Lewis, a wide receiver and kick returner, was known as "Beer Man" because he drove a beer truck before getting a tryout with his hometown team and making the roster in 2001 at age 29. Lewis departs as the Saints' career leader in kickoff returns (243 for 5,903 yards) and punt returns (142 for 1,482 yards).

Whitehead, a defensive end, joined the Saints in 1999 after playing in NFL Europe. He had 266 tackles (168 solo), 24.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.