Fryar Returns, Denies Wife Inflicted Wound

Wide receiver Irving Fryar of the New England Patriots returned to practice Friday and denied that his wife had inflicted the knife wound on his little finger that kept him out of the AFC championship game.

“I didn’t beat her up, and she didn’t cut me,” Fryar said. “That’s not what happened. I’m not denying there was an argument, but what was in the papers . . . that’s not true.”

Coach Raymond Berry said Fryar probably will be able to return punts against the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl Jan. 26. He added that Stephen Starring, who filled in at wide receiver for Fryar in last Sunday’s 31-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins, will start against the Bears.

Fryar, the first pick in the 1984 NFL draft, had 39 receptions this season.