Johnson suspended 4 games for PED use

The Panthers will be without starting defensive end

Charles Johnson for this Sunday's pivotal NFC showdown with the New Orleans Saints.

Johnson, an 11-year veteran, has been suspended without pay for the team's next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. The NFL announced the suspension Friday.

Johnson released a statement through the team's website saying he accepts full responsibility.

"I have been recovering from back surgery, dealing with the daily grind of football and mistakenly thought this could help," Johnson said in a statement.

"It was an error in judgment on my part. We have a special group here I wanted to be a part of and felt an obligation to do my part by getting back as soon as possible."

Aaron Rodgers returning to practice

Green Bay Packers twotime MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was placed on injured reserve after breaking his right collarbone Oct. 15 against Minnesota, is on track to practice Saturday, coach Mike McCarthy said.

"We're looking tomorrow to potentially practice him in a trial return. That's the outlook," McCarthy said Friday.

Rodgers had surgery on Oct. 19 and was placed on injured reserve the following day. NFL rules allow teams to bring back two players off injured reserve. Those players must be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks; Friday marked six weeks for Rodgers.

NFL committing $90M to social justice causes

The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a threesegment plan that involves league players.

In a memo sent to the 32 teams on Friday and obtained by The Associated Press, the league unveiled what it calls a new and expanded program of community improvement. The NFL Foundation is putting a $3 million grant into the program.

The new initiative comes in response to player demonstrations staged during the national anthem to raise awareness for social issues such as racial inequality.