Jets’ Johnson Bruises Knee

Former USC star Keyshawn Johnson sprained and bruised his right knee during practice Wednesday in Hempstead, N.Y., and it is uncertain if the New York Jets’ rookie will play this weekend.

Dr. Elliott Hershman, the Jets’ orthopedist, diagnosed Johnson with a sprain of the right medial collateral ligament and a bruised knee. An MRI exam also was scheduled.

The Jets said they would wait until the swelling goes down today before determining if he will play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

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The Seattle Seahawks may be set to trade Rick Mirer to the Atlanta Falcons for suspended Jeff George.

For the first time, Coach Dennis Erickson acknowledged that the Seahawks are talking to the Falcons about a potential one-for-one trade of starting quarterbacks. Erickson also announced that John Friesz will replace Mirer Sunday in Miami.

The trading deadline is Tuesday.

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Count tight end Keith Byars among the Jimmy Johnson detractors.

Saying he was an 11-year veteran and deserved better treatment in being released by the Miami Dolphins’ coach, Byars compared Johnson to a dictator and expressed skepticism about his chances of winning a Super Bowl in Miami.

“His program and his system, if you look at his track record, it’s firecrackers instead of bombs,” Byars said. “It’s short bursts. He doesn’t have any longevity in any program. . . . He’s good in small doses.”

In response, Johnson shrugged.

“Obviously Keith is disappointed about being released,” Johnson said. “I’m sorry he’s disappointed. I wish him the best of luck.”

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Wide receiver Eric Smith, a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, is “lucky to be alive,” after a traffic accident near Arrowhead Stadium, Coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

Schottenheimer said Smith was unconscious for a time and had to be cut out of his car after the accident last Saturday morning but added, “He’s going to be OK.”

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Todd Collins will start at quarterback for the injured Jim Kelly again Sunday when the Buffalo Bills host the Indianapolis Colts. . . . Cincinnati Bengal running back Ki-Jana Carter will be replaced by Garrison Hearst on Sunday against the Houston Oilers, Coach Dave Shula said. . . . Jacksonville Jaguar rookie Michael Cheever will replace veteran center Dave Widell, who had minor arthroscopic knee surgery.