With Suspensions Completed, Johnson, Henry Are Activated

Defensive tackle Tank Johnson was activated by the Cowboys yesterday, after completing an eight-game suspension, and is set to play his first game with his new team.

Coach Wade Phillips said Johnson had been added to the 53-man roster and would play Sunday for the Cowboys (7-1) at the New York Giants.

Johnson spent two months in jail during the offseason because of weapons charges.

Dallas made room on its roster by placing rookie fullback Deon Anderson on injured reserve with a torn right rotator cuff. . . .

Wide receiver Chris Henry was activated by the Bengals, having completed his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy.

Cincinnati waived wide receiver Skyler Green, a second-year player from Louisiana State, to open a roster spot. Green played in the first seven games and had four catches for 40 yards.

Banged-Up Quarterbacks

Panthers Coach John Fox said that quarterback David Carr suffered a concussion late in Sunday's loss to Tennessee and that his status for next week's game against Atlanta is uncertain.

Undrafted rookie Matt Moore is the only healthy quarterback left, and this could force Carolina to sign yet another quarterback this week. . . .

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler doesn't have the hairline fracture in his left leg he feared. An MRI exam was negative. . . .

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was recovering from the concussion that knocked him out of the game against San Diego.

All Eyes on Pats-Colts

The game between the Patriots and Colts earned the highest overnight rating for a Sunday afternoon regular season game in at least 20 years. The matchup of two undefeated teams drew a 22.5 rating and 39 share on CBS in the nation's largest markets.

The previous high was a 22.2/41 for Dallas-San Francisco on Nov. 10, 1996, a meeting of the winners of the previous four Super Bowls. The game attracted higher ratings than all four of last season's NFL divisional playoff games. . . .

NBC said it has selected New England's Nov. 18 matchup against the Bills in Buffalo as its first "flexible scheduling" game of the season, moving the start time to 8:15 p.m.

Extra Points

Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis said Chad Johnson could play Sunday in Baltimore, assuming his neck continues to heal. . . . Rams defensive end Leonard Little will have surgery this week to repair a torn ligament in his left big toe, ending his season. Guard Richie Incognito said he'll have surgery this week on his dislocated kneecap and is expected to miss four to six weeks. . . . Packers safety Nick Collins will miss several games with a knee injury after making an awkward tackle. . . . Cleo Lemon will remain the Dolphins' No. 1 quarterback when Miami plays Buffalo, ending speculation that rookie John Beck would get his first NFL start. . . . New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles (concussion) has been cleared to return to practice today.