Dolphins quickly cut veteran WR Johnson after domestic charge

As the Miami Dolphins took the field for practice Sunday, Chad Johnson was getting out of jail.

Hours later, he was out of work.

The Dolphins terminated the six-time Pro Bowl receiver's contract about 24 hours after he was arrested in a domestic battery case involving his wife.

Johnson, 34, was released from jail on $2,500 bond earlier Sunday after his wife accused him of head-butting her during an argument in front of their home. Johnson was charged with simple domestic battery, a misdemeanor.

The confrontation came barely a month after Johnson married Evelyn Lozada, who is on the reality TV show "Basketball Wives." Johnson had been battling for a spot on the team after a disappointing season with the New England Patriots in 2011.

Following Sunday's practice, coach Joe Philbin said he would meet soon with Johnson.

"We're going to deal with this," Philbin said before Johnson was released. "We're not going to waste time. ... We're all in this thing together. Everybody that sets foot in this building, we're all held to a high standard."

Only five days earlier, Philbin said Johnson's roster spot could be in jeopardy if he didn't temper his freewheeling behavior. Johnson annoyed the coach by frequently using profanity during a session with reporters.

Johnson's defense attorney, Adam Swickle, said an order has been issued that prevents Johnson from contacting Lozada.

Johnson - who recently changed his name from Chad Ochocinco - was arrested Saturday after Lozada confronted him about a receipt she found for a box of condoms, police said. According to an arrest affidavit, Lozada said she was taking groceries into their home when she found the receipt in the car trunk.

When the two were seated back in the car, they began talking about the receipt and their marriage. That's when Johnson got upset and head-butted his wife, the report said.

Lozada ran to a neighbor's house and called police. A responding officer said Lozada had a 3-inch cut on her forehead, while Johnson did not have any visible marks or bruises. When questioned by police, he confirmed there was an argument over the receipt, but said his wife had head-butted him.

Johnson was released by the Patriots after totaling only 15 receptions last season. He dropped the lone pass thrown his way Friday in the Dolphins' preseason opener against Tampa Bay.

■ VIKINGS - Minnesota activated running back Adrian Peterson from the physically unable to perform list, with coach Leslie Frazier saying Peterson had done everything in his rehab that could be done working by himself.

Peterson had major knee surgery Dec. 31, and Frazier credited Peterson's hard work for the quick return.

During Sunday's morning walk-through, Peterson rejoined his offensive teammates for a half-hour session. He was scheduled to participate in the afternoon practice, though the new collective bargaining agreement prohibits Peterson from taking part in contact during padded practices for two days.

Frazier said the next step in the rehab process will be for Peterson to participate in contact drills and then get some game action in the preseason.

■ BEARS - Injured middle linebacker Brian Urlacher expects to be ready for the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. Urlacher has left knee pain and has not practiced since July 31.

"September 9, I'll be ready to play," he said. "I'm pretty sure. That's really all that matters to me."

Urlacher sprained his medial collateral ligament and partially sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in the Bears' regular-season finale against Minnesota. There was no need for surgery, and he rehabbed the injury throughout the team's offseason workouts before returning to practice at the start of training camp.

■ PACKERS - In need of another running back, Green Bay signed veteran Cedric Benson, who left Cincinnati after spending four seasons with the Bengals.

Benson led the Bengals in rushing each year, but the team showed little interest in re-signing the eight-year veteran.

The Packers have been plagued by injuries in what has been an unimpressive running game. Green Bay finished 27th in rushing in 2011 despite going 15-1.

James Starks is bothered by turf toe, Brandon Saine (hamstring) has not practiced, Alex Green is coming off knee surgery, and Ryan Grant was not re-signed.

■ PATRIOTS - Veteran receiver Plaxico Burress was in New England for a tryout with the AFC champions.

Burress spent last season with the Jets after finishing a 20-month prison sentence on a gun charge. New York did not re-sign Burress, who turned 35 on Sunday. He had 45 catches, eight for touchdowns, and 612 yards for the Jets.

■ JETS - Coach Rex Ryan said safety Eric Smith is "day-to-day" with a sprained left knee ligament, and Ryan doesn't anticipate New York signing a veteran to offset Smith's absence.

Smith sprained the medial collateral ligament in his knee Friday in the preseason opener at Cincinnati. He also hurt his hip, but tests showed no damage.

■ COWBOYS - Dallas will play its preseason opener tonight at Oakland without at least six expected starters.

Rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne, their first-round draft pick, won't play. He was back at practice Saturday, but had missed a week because of a sprained knee and has practiced in pads only twice.

Also out for Dallas will be two-time Pro Bowl receiver Miles Austin (hamstring), Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff (foot), defensive end Jason Hatcher (groin), linebacker Anthony Spencer (hamstring) and center Phil Costa (back).

■ JAGUARS - Jacksonville released veteran wide receiver Lee Evans and signed sixth-year receiver Demetrius Williams. Evans signed as a free agent with the Jaguars in April after he was released by Baltimore in March.

Evans could have helped the Ravens earn a trip to the Super Bowl but dropped a pass in the end zone in the final minute of the AFC Championship Game against New England. The Patriots won, 23-20.