PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Ryan Releases Tackle Johnson

Coach Buddy Ryan of the Arizona Cardinals, displeased with second-stringers who were playing when the Denver Broncos pulled away to a 31-21 exhibition victory without John Elway on Thursday night, released Chuckie Johnson, one of the Cardinals’ four defensive tackles. . . . Mike Holmgren, the first coach since Vince Lombardi to lead the Green Bay Packers to consecutive winning seasons, received a three-year contract extension.

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Warren Moon completed 16 of 25 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown, helping the Minnesota Vikings to a 31-16 exhibition victory over the Miami Dolphins at Minneapolis. . . . Rookie Heath Shuler staged an impressive bid to start the regular-season opener for the Washington Redskins, leading three scoring drives in a 22-21 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington.

Mike Prior returned a fumbled punt 10 yards for a touchdown and Doug Evans’ interception led to a touchdown drive as the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots, 24-20, at Green Bay, Wis. . . . Rookie Eric Jack set up a clinching touchdown with a 71-yard interception return and Tony Smith had kickoff returns of 47, 56 and 47 yards as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-12, at Atlanta.

Jim Kelly completed nine of 10 passes, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to Andre Reed that helped the Buffalo Bills to a 24-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Orchard Park, N.Y. . . . Embattled David Klingler, under fire for failing to produce a touchdown in three exhibitions, completed 14 of 17 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a 38-14 victory over the Detroit Lions at Cincinnati.

Steve Young led the San Francisco 49ers on two first-half scoring drives and the 49er defense held the Seattle Seahawks without a touchdown in a 13-9 victory at San Francisco. . . . Jack Trudeau led fourth-quarter scoring drives of 81 and 54 yards as the New York Jets rallied to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10-9, at Tampa, Fla.