Leaf Returns, Apologizes

Ryan Leaf returned from his four-week suspension and apologized to San Diego Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard and his teammates for the outburst that got him barred from the team’s headquarters.

Leaf, who had been rehabilitating his surgically repaired right shoulder, was suspended Nov. 2. The previous day, he refused to do a weight workout, then cursed Beathard and strength coach John Hastings.

Leaf returns as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Jim Harbaugh and Moses Moreno, and will run the scout team in practice.

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New York Jet wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson responded to reports that he called his teammates “losers� following a 13-6 loss to the Colts in Indianapolis.

Johnson reportedly said, “I don’t want to be around no losers,� as he came off the field and entered the locker room. No teammates said they heard the comment, and Coach Bill Parcells said he was unaware of what Johnson said, even though Indianapolis newspapers reported that Parcells was nearby when Johnson made his comment.

Said Johnson Monday: “I didn’t call any players losers. I said I will not accept losing. Why should I? I’m supposed to accept losing? I don’t accept it because I won’t. But anyone saying I’m pointing fingers, that’s a bunch of New York media hype.�

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Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Bill Cowher said Mike Tomczak, 37, probably will be the starting quarterback the rest of the season, beginning Thursday at Jacksonville, and hinted that second-year pro Pete Gonzalez, not struggling Kordell Stewart, will be the backup. . . . Kansas City Chief Coach Gunther Cunningham said he was wrong but not unjustified after verbally confronting abusive fans when he left the field after the Chiefs rallied Sunday for a wild, last-second, 37-34 victory. . . . Buffalo Bill running back Thurman Thomas, sidelined since the first play of the season because of liver and kidney injuries, has been cleared to play in the Bills’ next game, Dec. 12 against the New York Giants.