Johnson confined to home
Chicago nose tackle Tank Johnson needs court permission to travel outside Illinois, a decision that would become a factor this season only if the Bears make the Super Bowl.
A judge ruled Friday that he must stay home, except to work or travel to work, until it is determined whether his Dec. 14 arrest for having firearms without a gun-owner identification card violated his probation on a 2005 gun charge.
He already is suspended for Sunday’s game at Detroit. The Bears’ regular season ends at home against Green Bay, and Chicago has home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Coach disputes reports
An agitated Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel refuted reports that quarterback Charlie Frye has a broken right wrist and denied he has been hiding injuries this season.
Frye hasn’t played since hurting his wrist in a Dec. 3 game against Kansas City. X-rays taken that day at the stadium and MRIs performed later at the Cleveland Clinic revealed only a bone bruise, the team said. Frye has not been able to grip a football or throw effectively since.
This week, Frye got a second opinion on his injury. The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal, both citing an anonymous source close to Frye, reported the second-year QB was told by a hand specialist that he has a broken bone.
Crennel insists that’s not true.
Bryant suspended
Receiver Antonio Bryant was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, dealing a blow to the San Francisco 49ers’ faint playoff hopes.
Bryant has 40 catches for a team-high 733 yards and three touchdowns this season, but the fifth-year pro hasn’t shaken his career-long propensity for off-field trouble.
Bryant was arrested Nov. 19 on charges of reckless and drunken driving after his orange Lamborghini was seen speeding down a freeway. Bryant also was combative with the police, refusing to leave his car and eventually forcing officers to use leather restraints to keep him in a patrol car.
Around the league
The New England Patriots signed veteran punter Todd Sauerbrun, who becomes the team’s third punter in six weeks. … Indianapolis Colts rookie runner Joseph Addai practiced and has been cleared to play Sunday against the Texans. Addai sat out two days of workouts this week to rest a sprained right ankle. … St. Louis Rams guard Adam Timmerman and defensive end Victor Adeyanju are expected to be activated for Sunday’s home finale against the Washington Redskins. … Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will miss Sunday’s game against New England because of a lingering hamstring injury. … Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington will be out for Sunday’s game against the Rams because of a sprained knee. … San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Luis Castillo won’t play Sunday against Seattle because of an aggravated left ankle. … Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme missed practice again because of an injured thumb and was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game at Atlanta. … Tampa Bay running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for the Bucs’ game against Cleveland because of a foot injury.