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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jones can’t return yet


Adam
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones in April to sit out the 2007 season. On Tuesday, the commissioner informed Jones he still hasn’t changed his mind.

Jones had met with the commissioner last week in New York, pleading for some leniency and an early return. But the cornerback whose biggest community service was buying wrestling tickets for Atlanta students to watch him at a pay-per-view event last month didn’t convince Goodell.

The commissioner told Jones his suspension will last through this season, which would include the playoffs if the Titans (6-2) qualify.

“He will be eligible to begin working out at the Titans’ facility following the conclusion of the team’s season,” the league said in a statement.

Johnson ails

One of the NFL’s most feeble offenses is almost certain to be without its star running back for at least a week.

Larry Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl player, has a sprained right foot and is highly questionable for Sunday’s game against Denver, Kansas City coach Herm Edwards said.

Edwards declined to speculate on how long Johnson might be out, saying he did not have enough information.

Losman keeps job

Leading the Bills to consecutive victories is enough for quarterback J.P. Losman to keep the starting job Sunday, when Buffalo plays at Miami.

Coach Dick Jauron issued a statement that he’s going with Losman, in what is becoming a weekly announcement regarding the team’s revolving door at quarterback with rookie Trent Edwards.

Around the league

The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Koy Detmer to serve as an insurance policy for a banged-up group of quarterbacks. … The Carolina Panthers placed Dan Morgan on injured reserve with a partially torn right Achilles tendon. … Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud was suspended without pay by the NFL for four games for violating the NFL’s steroids and related substances policy. … Pittsburgh’s Dec. 9 game at New England will start at 1:15 p.m. PST rather than the previously scheduled 10 a.m. to accommodate a CBS telecast. … The game between New England and Indianapolis earned a preliminary national rating that would be the highest for a Sunday afternoon regular-season game in more than a decade. The 24-20 win by the New England Patriots drew a 20.1 rating and 36 share on CBS. That’s the highest rating since Dallas and San Francisco attracted a 20.2/36 in 1996.