Chiefs’ Johnson repeats gay slur

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson used a gay slur for the second time in as many days Monday, the Kansas City Star reported on its website.

Johnson refused to speak with reporters, a day after the Chiefs’ 37-7 home loss to the San Diego Chargers. Sitting in front of his locker, he turned away and muttered the slur in telling reporters to get “out of here,” according to the Star, which recorded the comment.

On Sunday, Johnson belittled rookie Coach Todd Haley on Twitter in a series of posts that included the same gay slur.

Haley said Monday the Chiefs were looking into “a couple of situations” involving Johnson but declined to comment further. Asked about the slurs, he said the team was “gathering facts.”

The tweets were posted to the “Toonicon” account, an online alias the Star reported Johnson has said is his. The account includes a link to Johnson’s personal website.

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Smith to start as 49ers quarterback

Alex Smith is getting a big chance to resurrect his career. All but forgotten, the former No. 1 overall pick is the San Francisco 49ers’ new starting quarterback -- again.

Coach Mike Singletary made the announcement after sitting down with Shaun Hill, who was benched after the first half of the 49ers’ 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday.

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Jets’ Edwards is charged with assault

Authorities say New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault over accusations he punched a man outside a Cleveland nightclub.

Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez filed the charge Monday. It carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 17 in Cleveland Municipal Court.

Patrick D’Angelo, an attorney for Edwards, says his client will plead not guilty.

Edwards is accused of punching promoter Edward Givens, a friend of NBA star LeBron James, following an argument Oct. 5. Two days later, the Browns traded Edwards to the Jets.

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Panthers could bench Delhomme

For the first time in seven years, Jake Delhomme is in jeopardy of losing his starting job.

After another abysmal performance Sunday left Carolina 2-4 and Delhomme with an NFL-high 13 interceptions, Panthers Coach John Fox acknowledged he’s contemplating benching Delhomme in favor of either Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley.

“I still believe Jake is our best quarterback,” Fox said. “. . . But collectively we’ll do whatever it takes for us to improve.”

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Etc.

Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware and the Dallas Cowboys agreed on a contract extension, a $78-million, six-year deal through the 2015 season that guarantees him $40 million. . . . Cleveland Browns Coach Eric Mangini has no plans to bench Derek Anderson, the NFL’s lowest-rated quarterback. . . . Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will remain the Buffalo Bills starter for one more week, and maybe longer. In announcing Trent Edwards will miss his second straight game since suffering a concussion, Coach Dick Jauron refused to commit to who’ll start once Edwards is healthy enough to play.