Source: 6-8 players being investigated

LARRY JOHNSONMeets NFL officials today

Six to eight players are under investigation by the NFL for violating the league's drug policy by taking a weight-loss diuretic that is considered a masking agent for steroids.

A person familiar with the case provided the number of players involved yesterday, saying higher estimates were untrue. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the players are appealing the findings.

Denver TV station Fox 31 reported last week that six to 10 players had tested positive for Bumetanide, a pill that decreases the amount of water retained in the body by increasing urination. Other reports put the number of cases as high as 18.

New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister confirmed Sunday after the Saints' 37-32 win over San Diego in London that he is one of the players being investigated, although he stopped short of saying he had tested positive.

David Cornwell, a former lawyer for the league who has represented players in a number of these matters, confirmed last week to the AP that he is representing some players. He declined to identify any of them except Bryan Pittman, a long snapper for the Texans.

Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, Saints defensive end Will Smith, and defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Vikings also have been identified in various unconfirmed reports.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said he is planning on both Williamses playing Sunday.

KC's Johnson charged
Larry Johnson, already facing possible suspension by the NFL, was charged yesterday with simple assault for spitting his drink in a woman's face. Several hours later, the Kansas City Chiefs said the two-time Pro Bowl running back would not play for the foreseeable future. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that Johnson would meet with league officials in New York today. This most recent incident, which allegedly occurred at a Kansas City nightspot Oct. 10, marks the fourth time in five years Johnson has been accused of assaulting a woman. He was deactivated for the past two games for breaking team rules . . . Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow returned to the Browns following a one-game ban and said he's "ready to move on and play football." The team suspended Winslow last week for criticizing its handling of his hospitalization for a staph infection. Winslow appealed the suspension, which was rescinded by the team late Saturday night. Still, Winslow sat out Cleveland's 23-17 win at Jacksonville Sunday - the Browns' second win without him this season.

Holmes apologizes
Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes apologized for being involved in a marijuana-related case that caused coach Mike Tomlin to bench him for Sunday's loss to the Giants. Holmes was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana after a traffic stop Thursday. Holmes's preliminary hearing before a Pittsburgh district judge is Nov. 24. His absence during the 21-14 loss to New York affected the Steelers' passing game. Without Holmes, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had one of the worst performances of his career by going 13 of 29 for 189 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions . . . Raiders starting fullback Justin Griffith needs season-ending surgery on his knee. Griffith tore the ACL in his right knee late in the third quarter of a 29-10 loss to the Ravens Sunday.

Disk ails Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck has returned to Los Angeles for a second visit to a back surgeon, and Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren says Seneca Wallace remains Seattle's starting quarterback for now. Hasselbeck was having another evaluation on the bulging disk in his back, Holmgren said. The disk is pushing on a nerve that is weakening the three-time Pro Bowler's hyperextended right knee. Unless Hasselbeck passes a strength test so he can practice before Friday, he will miss his fourth consecutive game when Seattle (2-5) hosts Philadelphia (4-3) Sunday. Holmgren reiterated Hasselbeck's status is week-to-week . . . Cowboys coach Wade Phillips hesitated when asked whether Brad Johnson will remain the starter Sunday against the Giants in what should be the final game Tony Romo misses because of a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. The only other quarterback on the roster is Brooks Bollinger. Johnson guided Dallas to a win over Tampa Bay but the offense gained only 172 yards, the fewest ever in a game the Cowboys won, and he wasn't even close on some throws to open receivers.

Reed out for Bills
Josh Reed is out indefinitely with injuries to his ankle and Achilles' tendon in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, leaving the Bills without a reliable third-down receiver . . . Panthers defensive tackle Darwin Walker was involved in a car accident near Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., while driving to the team's walkthrough Saturday and missed the victory over Arizona the next day because of general soreness . . . Redskins defensive end Jason Taylor and cornerback Shawn Springs, each with calf injuries, are expected to miss next week's game against Pittsburgh.

49ers cool down
After a day to cool down from the 49ers' 34-13 loss to Seattle, interim coach Mike Singletary said he was ready to have a calm discussion with Vernon Davis, whose reaction to a personal-foul penalty drove Singletary to banish the tight end from the field and then trash him in an animated news conference. Singletary also promoted Shaun Hill to starting quarterback, replacing turnover-prone J.T. O'Sullivan. Also, NFL.com, quoting a high-ranking team official, said the 49ers would be interested in Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as team president . . . The Steelers said they knew what the Giants would do before 264-pound running back Brandon Jacobs was stopped on a key goal-line play early in New York's win over Pittsburgh. The tipster? Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Defensive end Brett Keisel overheard Manning mouthing the play call and lined up the defense before Jacobs was stopped inches short of the goal line on the fourth-and-1 play early in the second quarter. The goal-line stand - Jacobs failed on three successive plays to get in from the 1 - temporarily preserved Pittsburgh's 7-3 lead . . . An Arizona man accused of planning to kill people at this year's Super Bowl Feb. 3 in Glendale was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Kurt William Havelock was found guilty in June of six counts of mailing threatening communications. Court documents said Havelock was armed when he reached a parking lot near University of Phoenix Stadium where pregame activities were happening. Havelock didn't attack anyone. He called his parents, who persuaded him to turn himself in to police.