Steelers. Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark, afflicted with sickle-cell trait, is still unsure if he will play Monday night when the Steelers travel to Denver to play the Broncos.

He became deathly ill after playing in Denver's mile-high altitude two years ago, suffering complications that led to the removal of his spleen and gall bladder. The safety lost 30 pounds during his season-ending ordeal.

Clark has received medical clearance to play. He has an additional, unspecified condition that aggravated the blood disorder during his last visit to Denver, Pittsburgh said.

"His physical health, his well-being, of course, is paramount," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're going to attempt to do what's right; and we're going to come to a decision at some point later this week."

Chiefs. Kansas City, apparently fearful of losing in arbitration, agreed to cut Larry Johnson's suspension in half for making gay slurs.

The agreement saved the running back about $315,000. The Chiefs issued a terse announcement saying they had made the settlement in conjunction with the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association. Originally, they suspended the former two-time Pro Bowler for two weeks, which would have cost him about $630,000.

Johnson will still miss the game at Jacksonville this week and not participate in team activities until Nov. 9.

He needs just 75 yards rushing to become the Chiefs' career leader.

Browns. Cleveland is without a general manager after George Kokinis left the club under unexplained circumstances.

After reports surfaced that Kokinis was fired, the team issued an awkwardly worded statement last night saying the GM "is no longer actively involved with the organization." The Browns also denied reports that Kokinis was escorted from their team headquarters.

Mike Randall and Tony Schafer, two longtime Cleveland season ticket-holders organizing a protest at their disgust with the Browns' decade of losing, will meet today with Lerner.

The pair are urging fans to stay away from their seats for the opening kickoff of the Nov. 16 game against Baltimore. The Browns are 1-7.

Raiders. Oakland will undertake a "serious evaluation" of allegations that coach Tom Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women.

The team released a statement in response to allegations made to ESPN by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and his former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them several times during their relationships.

Packers. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a sprained toe on one foot and a nagging sprain on the other in Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers is expected to play Sunday at Tampa Bay. Rodgers has been sacked a league-high 31 times this season.

Chargers. San Diego released wide receiver Chris Chambers a day after the veteran receiver had a key catch in a 24-16 win over Oakland. Coach Norv Turner cited the emergence of Malcom Floyd and the need to sign a linebacker because of an injury to Tim Dobbins.

Goodell before Congress. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell plans to ask a Congressional subcommittee in prepared testimony today for legislation that would protect collective-bargaining agreements from state law challenges, like the one that led to blocking the suspensions of two players who tested positive for banned substances.

The NFL had attempted to suspend Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for four games, but the players sued the league in state court, arguing that the league's testing violated Minnesota laws. The case was moved to federal court, and the NFL players union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Williamses and New Orleans Saints players who were also suspended.

Elsewhere. St. Louis kick returner Danny Amendola, who was signed off the Eagles' practice squad Sept. 22, suffered a concussion on a devastating hit in the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory over Detroit. He will undergo tests tomorrow. . . . Houston tight end Owen Daniels has a torn knee ligament and will have season-ending surgery. Third-string tight end James Casey had arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage in one of his knees.