McKinnie Is Suspended For 4 Games

The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay yesterday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a blow to the protection of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's blind side.

McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. He will be eligible to return to the Vikings' active roster after the team's Sept. 28 game against Tennessee.

McKinnie will miss games against Green Bay, Indianapolis and Carolina. Seven-year veteran Artis Hicks, who was Minnesota's starter at right guard for 1 1/2 seasons before being unseated by Anthony Herrera, is expected to fill in at left tackle for McKinnie.

McKinnie signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension, including more than $17 million in guaranteed money, in September 2006.

· BENGALS: Receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week, according to several media reports. Johnson, who lives in Miami, didn't return a message left on his cellphone last night.

"It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before," he told the team's Web site. "Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun."

Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the moniker -- a reference in Spanish to his No. 85 -- and put it on the back of his uniform before a game. Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped it off before the kickoff. After the season, Coach Marvin Lewis -- who dislikes Johnson's attention-getting stunts -- referred to the receiver as "Ocho Psycho."

· COLTS: Peyton Manning expects to be in the starting lineup when Indianapolis opens the season against Chicago.

The quarterback, who underwent knee surgery in July, was activated Tuesday and went through a pregame workout with the team before the final preseason game Thursday night. He and the rest of the team went through a short practice yesterday before Coach Tony Dungy sent them home for the weekend.

· COWBOYS: Tony Romo just lost another one of his receiving options for the season opener.

Sam Hurd, the No. 3 wide receiver behind Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, got an MRI exam, which revealed a high left ankle sprain. The team said Hurd, the third Cowboys wide receiver hurt in the last three preseason games, won't play Sept. 7 at Cleveland.

Hurd was injured on the opening drive of the preseason finale when he landed awkwardly after being tackled from behind at the end of a 35-yard reverse in the Cowboys' 16-10 victory over Minnesota.

· PANTHERS: A day after backup quarterback Matt Moore injured a leg, Carolina acquired quarterback Josh McCown from Miami for a 2009 late-round draft pick.

McCown had signed with the Dolphins in the offseason after starting 31 games in a six seasons in Arizona, Detroit and Oakland. The former third-round pick has thrown 35 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

· TITANS: Vince Young had his right hand taped as he left Tennessee's offices. His head coach isn't talking much about the injury, now that the season opener is so close.

Young bruised his throwing hand in the first half of Thursday night's 23-21 preseason finale win over Green Bay and didn't return for the first series of the third quarter.

Asked if the Titans planned to X-ray or run other tests on Young's hand, Coach Jeff Fisher said only that the quarterback is doing well.

· CHARGERS 20, 49ERS 17: San Diego's Eldra Buckley made a one-armed, diving catch on a two-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds left in the Chargers' preseason victory over host San Francisco.

Third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst passed for 144 yards and Malcom Floyd had six catches for 68 yards for San Diego.

· SEAHAWKS 23, RAIDERS 16: T.J. Duckett showed he may be more than just the short-yardage back Mike Holmgren thinks he is by running for 71 yards and two touchdowns in Seattle's preseason victory over visiting Oakland.

Seahawks Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck didn't play to rest a back that has been tight since Aug. 8. He will start the opener.