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Atlanta Falcons: Despite earlier contentions that he would zealously contest a sex discrimination lawsuit brought against him by a former Falcons employee, team owner Arthur Blank has settled the case for an undisclosed amount.

Carol Faubert, who served less than a year as Falcons' vice president of human resources, filed the lawsuit in July, claiming that Blank occasionally condoned a work climate where women were treated as "sex objects" and denied promotions to better jobs if they had young children at home. The action was brought against Blank and the Falcons, and also AMB Group, which is Blank's private investment group.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed and the settlement, not surprisingly, includes a confidentiality clause. It is believed, though, to be a seven-figure settlement, given that Faubert had previously sought $5 million before formally initiating the suit. The deal was struck before Blank, who purchased the franchise in 2002, had to give his deposition.

"I was looking forward to taking Mr. Blank's deposition but, apparently, they didn't want that to be done," said Taylor Jones, one of Faubert's attorneys. Said Susan Bass, the Falcons' vice president of community affairs: "The case has been resolved on terms and conditions that are confidential, and with no admission of wrongdoing."

Less than a month after the suit was filed, Blank condemned it, and vowed to vigorously fight the action.

"You don't settle something like this that is filled with the kinds of fabrications that this is," Blank said at the time. "You just have to fight it and to destroy it."

Faubert suggested in the suit that Blank permitted an atmosphere in which women were instructed to wear inappropriately short attire to work. She also claimed that Blank asked her to "spy" on a prominent Atlanta he believed was having an adulterous affair. Faubert was fired by the team in February for what she said was retaliation for her claims of sex discrimination and harassment of woman employees.

New Orleans Saints: With their numbers depleted at the tight end position because of injuries, the Saints have signed veteran free agent David Sloan, who started 14 games for the team in 2002 but was released this year during the preseason.

The Saints in recent weeks lost starter Ernie Conwell (ankle) and backup Zach Hilton (knee) to injuries. Conwell is on injured reserve with a broken ankle and, by definition, unable to play again this season. The team has been starting Boo Williams at the position.

Sloan, 31, is a nine-year veteran. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in camp, was slow to respond in rehabilitation, and was subsequently waived. In stints with Detroit (1995-2001) and the Saints (2002), Sloan has played in 106 games and started in 80 of them. He has 192 catches for 2,152 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In 16 games last season, Sloan had 12 receptions for 127 yards and no touchdowns.

Carolina Panthers: Oft-injured middle linebacker Dan Morgan is likely to miss the Panthers game at Atlanta on Sunday night as he continues to battle dizziness believed to be related to a concussion suffered in an Oct. 19 game against Tennessee. There is some feeling that Morgan, the team's first-round pick in 2001, returned too quickly after the concussion.

The third-year veteran experienced post-concussion syndrome symptoms in last week's game against Philadelphia, and was eventually forced out of the contest. Coach John Fox said that Morgan will rest "until he feels better."

If he sits out Sunday's game, it will be the fourth full contest Morgan has missed this year. He has missed portions of four other games as well because of injuries. In his first two NFL seasons, Morgan was sidelined for 19 of a possible 32 games.

Minnesota Vikings: Vikings starting middle linebacker Greg Biekert will surrender more playing time to rookie E.J. Henderson, the team's second-round draft pick, he acknowledged.

Vikings coaches began using Henderson in "nickel" situations about three weeks ago and, with the defense struggling now, the former Maryland standout will see extended playing time in "base" alignments as well. According to the plan, Henderson will play a few series in the "base" set in every game.

Biekert met recently with coach Mike Tice to discuss the plan and said that he has no problem with it.

"E.J. is the future leader of this defense and I'm toward the end of my career," Biekert said. "It's the best thing for the team. I'm still going to be on the field enough that I can make a contribution and that's fine with me."

St. Louis Rams: The Rams have released defensive back James Whitley and added defensive end Erik Flowers, a former first-round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills. Flowers was the 26th overall selection in the 2000 draft, has played defensive end and linebacker at various time in his career, and is still regarded as having some pass rush potential.

It is likely that Flowers, who has never fulfilled his potential in stints with three different teams, will be used primarily on special teams. The St. Louis coverage units have struggled much of the season, allowing five scores, and coach Mike Martz has vowed to address the problem.

The Rams also signed two players, wide receiver Michael Coleman and defensive end Nick Burley, to the practice squad. Because of salary cap constraints, St. Louis currently is playing one man under the 53-player limit for the active roster. In addition, the Rams have just four practice squad players, one below the maximum permitted by the league.