Tennessee Titans, running back Chris Johnson agree on revised deal | NFL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Chris Johnson's agent says the running back and the Tennessee Titans have agreed on a revised deal that will ensure he reports with the rest of the team for training camp.

Agent Joel Segal confirmed the deal Monday to The Associated Press.

Segal would not say how much of a raise Johnson is getting, but did say his client will get a pay increase. Johnson, who rushed for 2,006 yards last season, reportedly will earn $2.5 million this season under the revised deal.

It's not the minimum $30 million in guaranteed money the AP 2009 Offensive Player of the Year had been saying he wanted after becoming the sixth back to run for at least 2,000 yards.

But Johnson, 24, no longer will be the lowest-paid running back on the Titans roster, with a base salary of $550,000. The raise also will keep him from missing training camp when the Titans report July 30; he sat out offseason activities in protest.

Profootballtalk.com first reported the deal.

Team officials previously had insisted Johnson was under contract for three more years and that rules limiting pay raises to 30 percent in the league's labor agreement made a huge raise impossible.

Last week, Johnson said he would be content with a small raise from the Titans for the short term.

"When they do something, I'll be proud to be there with my teammates," Johnson said Wednesday.

Childress visits Favre

Brad Childress will be the first to know. And it sounds as if he wants to know soon.

The Minnesota Vikings coach spent Monday in Hattiesburg, Miss., with 40-year-old quarterback Brett Favre, who hasn't announced whether he will return for a 20th league season.

Childress has been careful not to issue deadlines, giving Favre the entire offseason to make up his mind. But training camp opens late next week, so the clock is ticking.

Asked by Hattiesburg TV station WDAM about his visit, Childress said, "You can fill in the blanks."

Favre had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle in late May.

Notes

• Miami defensive end Phillip Merling, 25, has been charged with felony battery against his pregnant girlfriend.

The Broward State Attorney's Office filed the charge Friday. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Merling was arrested May 27 in Weston. When the Broward Sheriff's Office arrested him, officers noted he either knew or should have known the woman was pregnant.

If convicted, Merling could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Merling's attorney has filed a plea of not guilty for his client.

• Cincinnati released guard Jason Shirley, 24, who tore an Achilles tendon during a charity basketball game in April.