Johnson Back in Redskins’ Lineup

After sitting out three games because of a knee injury, Brad Johnson will start for the Washington Redskins on Sunday against the New York Giants.

Coach Norv Turner had said Johnson would start again when 100% healthy. Jeff George started three games with Johnson sidelined and put up decent numbers. But the team went 1-2.

“We can come up with a lot of reasons,” Turner said Monday. “The No. 1 is, he’s our starting quarterback. We waited a while to make sure. He moved around well throughout the week last week. He had no reactions.”

Johnson suffered a torn ligament in his left knee late in a 27-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 30. He said he believed he was sound enough to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but trainers didn’t want him to return too soon.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Shaun King sat out Monday’s workout because of a strained back, but expects to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

The second-year pro was sacked seven times during Sunday’s 31-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills and four times the previous week by the Chicago Bears, and the pounding is beginning to take a toll.

“It tightened up at some point during the game. It’s one of those things that just happened,” King said. “It had been sore earlier, but nothing like that. It’s just my back getting old.”

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Emmitt Smith had never been knocked unconscious while playing football. But on Thanksgiving Day, it happened, and he wound up with a concussion after being hit in the third quarter of the Cowboys’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“Some people call it a concussion. I call it a slap knockout,” Smith said, talking to reporters for the first time about the experience.

Smith didn’t practice Monday, but ran sprints and expects to go through a full practice when the Cowboys return to the field Wednesday. He said there is no doubt that he will play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

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St. Louis Ram defensive end Kevin Carter had blood drained from his swollen knee but expects to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Pass rush specialist Leonard Little suffered a dislocated right ring finger and was unable to use that hand Monday. Little was meeting with a specialist to determine whether surgery is needed.

Meanwhile, kicker Jeff Wilkins, who has sat out four games and most of a fifth because of a quadriceps injury, is expected to return Sunday.

The Rams made one personnel move, releasing third-string quarterback Paul Justin.