PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Jailing of Colts’ Banks Called Mistake

Colt linebacker Chip Banks was jailed for 5 1/2 hours in Indianapolis because of what authorities said was a mistaken warrant.

Police gave this account:

Banks was pulled over for weaving his 1989 Chevrolet Blazer in and out of traffic in a nightclub district about 2:20 a.m. Friday. No traffic charges were filed, but a computer check turned up an outstanding warrant for Banks’ arrest on drug charges from Fulton County, Ga.

Banks, 32, was booked into the Marion County lockup at 4:40 a.m., but he was freed at 10:10 a.m. after authorities in Atlanta determined the warrant, for violating terms of probation, was issued in error.

Banks, a Pro Bowl player for the Cleveland Browns in 1982, 1983 and 1985, was traded from the San Diego Chargers to the Colts in October of 1989 after serving an 18-month suspension from the NFL for substance abuse.

Wide receiver Jerry Rice says the San Francisco 49ers’ confidence is slipping away.

“I think that when we lost one or two games, the players got a little doubtful,” Rice said. “They were saying, ‘Maybe we can’t do it.’ You felt that a little in the locker room.”

So Rice has been giving pep talks to his teammates as the 49ers (2-4) prepare for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions (5-1).

“I just try to go around and boost their confidence a little, like, ‘Come on guys,’ ” Rice said. “ ‘We’re coming up against the Lions. It’s a new week.’ Whatever it takes. We need a win.”

Mike Ditka, coach of the Chicago Bears, celebrated his 52nd birthday by giving his players the weekend off from practicing. The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers, 10-0, Thursday night.