NFL News and Notes

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson will play in the Super Bowl — with court approval and a warning from a judge to stay out of trouble.

Cook County Judge John Moran granted a defense request Tuesday to allow Johnson to leave the state of Illinois as he awaits trial on gun possession charges. The Bears will play the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 4.

Moran set no special restrictions on Johnson, but said he must obey the law "or dire consequences will result."

Johnson was arrested Dec. 14 after police raided his home in Gurnee, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. Prosecutors say officers found three rifles, three handguns and ammunition in Johnson's home. He faces 10 counts of possession of firearms without a state gun-owner identification card.

Arrested three times in 18 months, Johnson has pleaded not guilty to the most recent charges. The previous arrests involved a scuffle with a police officer, in which the charges were dropped, and a misdemeanor weapons charge.

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Russ Grimm was hired as the Arizona Cardinals' assistant head coach and offensive line coach, two weeks after he interviewed for the head coaching position.

Grimm's hiring comes two days after erroneous reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers had chosen him to replace coach Bill Cowher, who stepped down this month. Grimm wanted the Steelers job, but said he was happy to reunite with Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt, a former Steelers staffmate.

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Dallas' search for a coach to replace Bill Parcells is off to a slow start. Jeff Fisher, thought to be a candidate, had his extension picked up by Tennessee and the Titans won't grant the Cowboys permission to talk to him. Bob Stoops, another possible candidate, said he was staying at Oklahoma.

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San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers won't play in the Pro Bowl because of a foot injury. Chargers spokesman Bill Johnston said Rivers sprained his right foot against Arizona on Dec. 31 and aggravated it in the Chargers' 24-21 playoff loss to New England.

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The Houston Texans hired Jethro Franklin as their defensive line coach.

Franklin, 41, was the defensive line coach in Tampa Bay last season. He was the defensive line coach at USC during the 2005 season.


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