Goodell to review Johnson's suspension

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will review next week whether to reduce Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tank Johnson's suspension from eight to six games.

"I did talk to Tank about a week ago and I'm going to be reviewing his case shortly," Goodell said Monday. "He has been doing some very positive things about changing his life and making better decisions going forward."

Goodell said he plans to begin his review next week, but did not hint which way he might be leaning.

"I'm not leaning anywhere," Goodell said before attending the Bills' Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. "I want to look at the facts and monitor and understand where we're going."

Johnson, who signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys last month, is serving an eight-game NFL suspension for violating probation on a gun charge, one of several run-ins with the law that led the Bears to release him in June.

Goodell has previously said he'd consider reducing the player's suspension to six games. If that happened, Johnson would be eligible to play with the Cowboys after Dallas hosts New England this weekend.

Johnson has been working out at the Cowboys facility, and has been in regular contact with Goodell.

"I've made it very clear to Tank that, 'You could say all the things you want. It's how you act,' " Goodell said. "He needs to make better decisions. And he needs to demonstrate that through his behavior. And I think he understands that. And I'm hopeful he's going to do that.

"We all make mistakes. And now he can be someone that really demonstrates to people that you can make a turnaround in your life. You can do things right."

Goodell provided no update on the uncertain status of Broncos running back Travis Henry, who played Sunday, and is attempting to prevent the league from suspending him over the result of a drug test result.

"I got an update on Friday afternoon. I've got to talk to our people a little bit more about where we are with that," Goodell said. "But we'll be dealing with it on a timely basis."

Green suffers concussion: Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green was knocked unconscious with a grade-three concussion -- the most severe -- and he'll undergo further tests on the career-threatening injury to determine his future.

Green has been ruled out of Sunday's game at Cleveland a day after he was injured against Houston. Coach Cam Cameron declined to discuss the possibility the injury will prompt the 37-year-old Green to retire.

"I don't think we really know the full extent, because there are some ongoing tests," Cameron said Monday. "Right now I just think there are too many unknowns."

Green was hurt in Sunday's loss to the Texans. He was motionless on the field before being carted away and taken to a hospital, but he flew home with the team.

A severe concussion in the 2006 opener sidelined Green for half of last season when he played for the Kansas City Chiefs. Following that injury, there were concerns about his durability when the Dolphins acquired him in June.

Cleo Lemon, who replaced Green at Houston, will make his second NFL start against the Browns. The Dolphins and St. Louis Rams are the only teams with 0-5 records.

Seahawks' Strong retires: Seahawks fullback Mack Strong has a spinal cord condition that is ending his career immediately -- but not affecting his quality of life.

And for that, the 36-year-old Pro Bowler, husband and father of two is grateful.

"I've played a long time, 15 years. I felt like I was pretty lucky, pretty blessed," a teary-eyed Strong said Monday after learning that a herniated disk in his neck is pinching his spinal cord -- and ending an unheralded, improbable career that began as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 1993.

Strong called the decision to retire immediately after 201 career games "a no-brainer." Doctors, including team physiatrist Dr. Stan Herring, a spine specialist, are telling him that his neck will heal without surgery -- if he stops playing now.

Broncos' Nalen out for season: Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen tore his right biceps muscle and will be out for the season. The five-time Pro Bowler was injured in the first quarter of a 41-3 loss to San Diego on Sunday, but kept playing.

The Broncos also lost tight end Nate Jackson for the season with a torn groin. Cornerback Champ Bailey, who injured his left quadriceps against the Chargers, should be ready for the Pittsburgh game on Oct. 21. The Broncos have a bye this week.

Bucs' Pittman sidelined: Tampa Bay's Michael Pittman could be sidelined up to two months with an ankle sprain that has the Buccaneers scrambling for experienced help at running back.

Coach Jon Gruden said Monday that the team was waiting for the results of an MRI exam, but that it appeared Pittman, injured during Sunday's 33-14 loss at Indianapolis, will be out 6-8 weeks.

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, the 2005 NFL offensive rookie of the year, was lost for the season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee during a victory over Carolina on Sept. 30.