Johnson not as hurt as appears

Even though receiver Calvin Johnson hobbled out of the locker room Sunday, the Detroit Lions said he is not as injured as he appeared to be after missing much of the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson could not bend his right knee as he went up stairs at Ford Field on Sunday, but Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday he would not label Johnson’s injury as significant, adding that the team will know more Wednesday.

The Lions did lose a key player, though, putting cornerback Eric King on injured reserve because of an injured left shoulder.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford did not play against Pittsburgh after hurting his right knee the previous week, and Schwartz would not speculate on his status for Sunday’s game at Green Bay. If Stafford is healthy, Schwartz said he is the clear-cut starter over Daunte Culpepper.

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Sharpton, Jackson criticize Limbaugh

The Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson attacked the bid by Rush Limbaugh to buy the St. Louis Rams, saying the conservative radio host’s track record on race should exclude him from owning an NFL team.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, arguing that Limbaugh has been divisive and “anti-NFL” in some of his comments.

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Two 49ers might be done for season

Two San Francisco 49ers defenders with concussions could be done for the season.

Safety Michael Lewis suffered his third concussion of the season during Sunday’s 45-10 loss to Atlanta and was to have further testing during the off week. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, who suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff against St. Louis on Oct. 4, is scheduled to be seen by a neurologist on Wednesday.

The 49ers released top return man Allen Rossum, creating roster room for newly signed rookie receiver Michael Crabtree. Rossum ranks second in league history with 14,987 return yards.

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Manning’s sore knee not serious

Peyton Manning’s left knee may be sore, but it doesn’t appear to be a serious problem for the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.

One day after Manning led Indianapolis to a 31-9 victory at Tennessee, Coach Jim Caldwell said he had not received a doctor’s report regarding the quarterback’s knee, something he would have expected had there been concerns.

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NFL investigating rookie’s injury

Cleveland Browns Coach Eric Mangini said he’s cooperating with the NFL in its investigation into rookie running back James Davis’ mysterious season-ending shoulder injury.

On Sunday, ESPN.com reported that Davis was injured during a recent post-practice period for extra work when he was hit by a Browns linebacker. According to the report, witnesses said Davis was not wearing shoulder pads while the unidentified defender who hit him had them on.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has been looking into the matter.