Tennessee waives injured rookie Stafon Johnson

The Tennessee Titans waived Stafon Johnson, who dislocated his right ankle in a 20-18 exhibition loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

Johnson, who had surgery Sunday, is a rookie running back whose career at USC was cut short after a weight-room accident last September in which his neck and larynx were crushed.

Johnson was dejected but tried to remain positive.

“Bouncing back from trials and tribulations, this is just a bump in the road,” he said. “God has brought me back this far, and it felt good to be where I’d gotten to. This is minimum compared to what I have been through, really.”

Coach Jeff Fisher said the Titans would put Johnson on injured reserve once he clears waivers, a move that would allow Johnson to use the team’s training facilities as he recovers.

“We have not given up on him — just the opposite of that,” Fisher said.

The Titans signed journeyman running back Samkon Gado to fill Johnson’s roster spot.

Maualuga fined but not suspended

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga will not be suspended but will be fined two game checks by the league after he pleaded guilty to drunk driving.

“We’ve got everything put behind us now and we can just concentrate on football,” said Maualuga, who added that he was happy to have avoided a suspension.

Maualuga was arrested and charged with drunk driving and careless driving in Covington, Ky., on Jan. 29. Police said that Maualuga, 23, hit two parked cars and a parking meter and registered a blood-alcohol level of .157, well over the legal limit of .08.

Maualuga, a second-round pick out of USC in the 2009 draft, is recovering from a broken ankle suffered in Week 16 against Kansas City that ended his rookie season.

Manning might sit out Saturday

Eli Manning might not play in the New York Giants’ second exhibition Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers after the quarterback needed 12 stitches to close a three-inch gash in his forehead, Coach Tom Coughlin said.

Manning was injured when his helmet was knocked off during a botched play in the second quarter of Monday night’s 31-16 exhibition win over the New York Jets. He left the game with blood streaming down his face.

The Giants said Manning felt discomfort Tuesday, though tests showed no signs of a concussion. He will continue to be examined and Coughlin said Manning’s status for Saturday’s home game isn’t known.

“We’ll wait and hear what the doctors have to say,” Coughlin said.

Before leaving New Meadowlands Stadium on Monday night, Manning said he felt fine and that he planned to return soon. Coughlin said the Giants also are concerned that wearing a helmet might disturb Manning’s stitches.

Manning collided with teammate Brandon Jacobs on a running play when the quarterback decided to try to throw a fade pass instead. Manning’s helmet came off as he was hit from behind by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace.

Manning’s head snapped back and then appeared to get caught on Jets safety Jim Leonhard’s helmet as it came forward.

Etc.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant could sit out of all of the team’s exhibitions even if his sprained ankle heals. Owner Jerry Jones said the team might choose to avoid risking an injury to their first-round pick in a meaningless game.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play in Saturday’s exhibition at the New York Giants after he sat out the team’s game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Roethlisberger will play, but would not confirm if he would start….

Defensive end Albert Haynesworth left the Washington Redskins’ practice after a few plays because he was ill, Coach Mike Shanahan said.

“The doctors didn’t feel like it was heat-related,” Shanahan said. “He was just sick.” …

Cleveland Browns punter Dave Zastudil is out for the season because his right knee did not respond quickly enough to surgery, Coach Eric Mangini said. Zastudil missed eight games last season because of a torn tendon in his plant leg….

Buffalo Bills rookie receiver David Nelson is out indefinitely after he was carted off the field with a right leg injury during practice.