NFL Players Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen said Special Master Stephen Burbank ruled bonus money already earned cannot be forfeited by a player.
Burbank also ruled the New York Giants can't dock receiver Plaxico Burress the $1 million he earned as part of a new contract he signed in August after the union's grievance hearing last week.
As for Johnson, Burbank ruled that if the Chiefs cut him, they do not have to pay him a $3.5 million guaranteed salary next season because he breached his contract after being suspended last season, Berthelsen said.
NFL.com Video
Larry Johnson rushes for 108 yards and a TD but the Chiefs lose to the Dolphins in Week 16.
Last month, Johnson was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace following two separate confrontations involving women at nightclubs last year.Aside from the NFL suspension, the Chiefs deactivated the two-time Pro Bowler for three games.
Despite a request to be traded, Johnson was present for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program, Chiefs players said.
Burbank's ruling is expected to influence the Chiefs' decision whether to keep or release Johnson.
