Source: Larry Johnson expects to sign with Cincinnati Bengals

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was en route to Cincinnati on Monday and, barring a last-minute breakdown, he expects to sign with the AFC North-leading Bengals, a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN's Michael Smith.

Walker: There's Potential Here

ESPN.com AFC North blogger James Walker lists the reasons why Larry Johnson's presence on the Bengals roster could work. Blog

A deal, if consummated, is expected to be for the prorated league minimum. Coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that Johnson would be fourth on the team's depth chart at running back.

"That's what his role would be, it would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the kicking game and showing looks [on the scout team] and so forth that way," Lewis said. "And then he would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys where he'd have a chance to be active.

"But I couldn't foresee him being active when he was initially here, if this is what happens. And that's what I've told him."

The Bengals, along with several other teams, first expressed interest in Johnson last week as depth behind Cedric Benson, who strained a hip muscle in Sunday's 18-12 win in Pittsburgh that left the Bengals (7-2) in control of the AFC North.

Benson is expected to practice on a limited basis this week. Lewis said there's a chance he could play Sunday in Oakland.

Lewis assured Benson that the Bengals' interest in Johnson would have no effect on his status as the primary runner. Lewis said he first spoke with Johnson by phone last Thursday, before Benson's injury.

"I had a chance to visit with Cedric about this, that it doesn't affect him -- zero," Lewis said. "This was under way last week, so Cedric [being injured] in the game had no effect on this thing."

The Chiefs released Johnson last Monday, the day he was due back from his second (two-week) suspension in the past 12 months. His last brush with controversy came two weeks ago when he posted on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulted followers and questioned the competence of head coach Todd Haley.

Since rushing for a team-record 1,789 yards on an NFL-record 416 carries in 2006, Johnson was never quite the same in Kansas City.

In 2008, then-coach Herm Edwards benched him for three straight games for violating team rules and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him a fourth game for violating the league's player conduct policy.

Johnson was later sentenced to two years' probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. One woman accused him of throwing a drink on her and another said he had pushed her head at a Kansas City nightspot.

After his huge year in '06, Johnson stayed away from training camp, demanding more money, and he got it, a six-year deal worth $45 million, including $19 million guaranteed.

But hampered by a foot injury, he wound up with only 559 yards and three touchdowns. In 2008, he ran for 874 yards as the Chiefs sank to 2-14. Still, Johnson was only 75 yards away from breaking Priest Holmes' team rushing record when the team let him go.

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Dallas Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo will have ankle surgery

IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys starting right tackle Marc Colombo will undergo surgery Monday to repair ligaments on his left ankle after suffering a high ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

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Colombo also has a fracture on his fibula near his left knee that doesn't need surgery. Cowboys officials said the recovery time for the fibula injury is six weeks.

Recovery time for the ankle has not been determined, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones had said Colombo is out for the season.

The Cowboys are hopeful Colombo can return at some point, especially if the team makes a deep playoff run.

In other injury news, starting cornerback Mike Jenkins underwent an MRI on his left biceps Monday. Jenkins said his arm feels fine, but he didn't know the results of the MRI.

Also, kicker David Buehler was limping in the locker room Monday. He said he hurt the little toe on his right foot while covering a punt.

"I'll be able to kick," Buehler said. "It hurts like hell."

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Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams celebrates win by flipping Buffalo Bills the bird

Played in front of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the significance of their 41-17 victory Sunday over the Buffalo Bills wasn't lost on the Tennessee Titans.

Owner Bud Adams even got in on the act.

The 86-year-old Adams was seen throwing an emphatic series of middle fingers from a luxury suite at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., after the Titans (3-6) had secured the blowout over the Bills (3-6), which included 24 straight points in the fourth quarter.

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According to The Associated Press, the NFL was looking into the hand gestures Monday.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, whose fellow defensive backs Vincent Fuller and Roderick Hood scored the last two touchdowns with interception returns in the final three minutes, said he was all for it if Adams was enjoying himself.

"I don't know if he did it, but I condone fun things," Finnegan said, according to The Tennessean. "If he was having fun doing it, then by all means, do what you do."

Adams can be seen in a YouTube video flashing the hook 'em sign of the Texas Longhorns, who Titans quarterback Vince Young played for, before extending each hand with the middle finger individually, then together, after pointing toward the Bills' sideline.

The Tennessean reported Adams was seen making the gesture again on the field after the game.

Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch said Adams' presence was an encouraging sign.

"He is a cool owner and it is good to see him around here supporting us," Tulloch said, according to the Nashville newspaper. "To have an owner like that, it's cool."

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams tells coach Jeff Fisher he wants Vince Young to start

'Monday Night Football' analyst Jon Gruden agrees to multiyear contract extension with ESPN

ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst and former longtime NFL coach Jon Gruden has agreed to a multiyear extension with the network.

Gruden

Gruden, who joined ESPN in September to replace Tony Kornheiser in the MNF booth, will also appear on ESPN's Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage, will call the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl and will serve as an analyst for ESPN Radio's 2010 Rose Bowl and BCS title game broadcasts, where he will again team with MNF play-by-play caller Mike Tirico.

"Working with Mike, [Ron Jaworski] and our entire Monday Night Football team is the most fun I have had in years, and I am fired up to make this long-term commitment to ESPN," Gruden said in a statement. "Monday Night Football is special and I look forward to remaining a part of it and continuing to call these great games."

Gruden, fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 16, was the winningest coach in Bucs history (60-57 in seven seasons) and led Tampa Bay to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. He also has coached the Oakland Raiders.

"Jon has truly reinvented himself, from a Super Bowl-winning head coach to one of the foremost NFL analysts in the business, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president of production. "We are thrilled with his commitment to ESPN, which ensures that Jon will continue on Monday Night Football with Mike and Jaws, and he will have the opportunity to do even more with ESPN."

Gruden began his NFL coaching career in 1990 when Mike Holmgren, then offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, hired him as an assistant in charge of quality control. Gruden quickly ascended through the ranks by learning the famed West Coast offense pioneered by longtime 49ers coach Bill Walsh.

When Holmgren left the 49ers to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1992, he named Gruden the Packers' wide receivers coach. After three seasons in Green Bay, Gruden moved on to become the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator under head coach Ray Rhodes. In 1998, Gruden was chosen by Oakland owner and general manager Al Davis to be the Raiders' new head coach at age 34.

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Gruden grew up in a football family. His father, Jim, served as an assistant at Notre Dame in the late 1970s and later with the Buccaneers. Gruden graduated from the University of Dayton, where he was a backup quarterback. After graduation, he started his career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Southeast Missouri State (1987-88) and the wide receivers coach at both Pacific (1989) and Pittsburgh (1991) in the college ranks.

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Atlanta Falcons' Michael Turner sprains ankle after strong start

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner went to the locker room after spraining his right ankle against Carolina.

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Turner rolled the ankle when he was tackled at the end of a 10-yard run that gave him 111 yards on just nine carries. He took off his shoe and walked around some before heading inside.

He did not return in Atlanta's 28-19 loss.

The injury left Atlanta short-handed in the backfield. Backup Jerious Norwood was inactive with a hip injury and Aaron Stecker was released Saturday. Jason Snelling ran for a 1-yard TD after Turner left.

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Source: NFL unlikely to discipline Oakland Raiders' Tom Cable

Unless other facts emerge, the NFL is not expected to discipline Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable for the assault allegations that a former wife and girlfriend levied against him, a league source has said.

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However, the league has directed Cable into a clinical evaluation process to determine whether further action is necessary due to conditions such as anger management or substance abuse.

Historically, the NFL has not disciplined people when law enforcement has studied the incident and determined there is not enough evidence to proceed with the case. In the case of the alleged assaults against women previously in his life, no charges were filed against Cable, nor were any civil cases brought against him.

What's notable about this is that legal experts said California is protective of its complaining witnesses and has an extremely low tolerance level for domestic abuse.

The league has investigated the incidents involving Cable and will continue to do so. But it sounded as if a chapter of a book was about to be closed.

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Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano decides to sit LB Joey Porter vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MIAMI -- Joey Porter won't be making any tackles this week, either.

Less than 24 hours before kickoff, the Miami Dolphins' outspoken linebacker was ruled out of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay because of a coach's decision. The Dolphins didn't give any information about the reason for the move Saturday by coach Tony Sparano.

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Porter made no tackles in last week's loss to the New England Patriots after calling them cheaters and saying he hated them. New England quarterback Tom Brady said his team was inspired by Porter's comments.

Porter has been slowed most of the season by a sore right hamstring. The four-time Pro Bowl player sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday but participated in full drills Friday.

Porter has only 2 sacks this season, compared with an AFC-high 17 last year. The usually talkative linebacker declined to talk to local reporters this week, but following Friday's practice, Sparano praised Porter's attitude.

"I see no frustration," Sparano said. "What I do see is a guy that's played in enough football games to know, 'There are some things I need to do better out there.' There are a lot of things that people say about Joey that are not always favorable, but one of the good things about Joey is the guy's a pretty good pro. He takes it personally. The guy cares."

Porter missed a game Oct. 4 against Buffalo because of his injury. The Dolphins will likely start Charlie Anderson or Matt Roth in his place against the Buccaneers.

Miami guard Justin Smiley and tight end Anthony Fasano were inactive as well.

Smiley missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. Fasano has been bothered by a sore hip.

Reserve defensive linemen Paul Soliai (ankle) and linebacker Joey Porter (coach's decision) were also inactive.

Nate Garner started for Smiley, Kory Sperry started for Fasano, and Charlie Anderson started for Porter.

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