PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Chargers’ Seau to Play Against Jets

Medical tests on San Diego Charger linebacker Junior Seau were negative, and he is expected to play in Sunday’s crucial road game against the New York Jets.

Seau underwent MRIs on his left knee, left shoulder and neck Monday. “They were all negative, and in comparison to previous ones, there wasn’t a significant change,” Coach Bobby Ross said.

However, Ross will watch to see if knee and shoulder injuries inhibit Seau’s ability to make tackles as they did in Sunday’s 38-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chargers (9-5), who have lost two consecutive games, need one victory to clinch the AFC West title for the second time in three seasons. The Jets are 6-8.

Seau is leading the Chargers for the fourth consecutive year with a career-high 139 tackles. He’s third with 5 1/2 sacks.

He has had a shoulder injury the last four weeks, and played Sunday with a noticeably limp left arm that limited his ability to make plays. He bruised his left knee early in the second quarter but returned three plays later.

Running back Natrone Means has inflammation in tendons on both sides of his left knee. He is stiff and might miss some practice time, but should be ready by game time, Ross said.

The Chargers hope to get two key blockers back. Left guard Joe Cocozzo is still listed as questionable with a sprained foot, but Ross said he hopes the second-year pro can play. Tight end Duane Young, coming off two groin pulls, is listed as probable after sitting out the San Francisco game.

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Cincinnati Bengal Coach Dave Shula probably will return next season because Mike Brown, team president and general manager, says the team needs more playing talent, not better coaching.

The Bengals were 8-24 in Shula’s first two seasons and are 2-12 now. They would wind up with the franchise’s worst record ever if they lose their remaining two games.

“I don’t fault our coaches or what they’re doing,” Brown said. “We still need a few more guys to get us over the hump.”

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Dallas owner Jerry Jones and Philadelphia owner Jeffrey Lurie predicted that former Cowboy Coach Jimmy Johnson will stay in broadcasting with Fox Television next year. Johnson will make his announcement Sunday.

The Dallas Morning News, citing an unidentified source, reported Sunday that Johnson, who led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories before leaving, has narrowed his choices to coaching the Eagles or remaining at Fox for another season.