Johnson is still suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for using a gay slur through Nov. 9 -- but he will be docked just one game check. Players are paid weekly over 17 weeks.

Johnson's base salary for 2009 is $4.55 million, so instead of losing $535,294, he will lose $267,647.

Johnson, who needs just 75 yards to break the team's career rushing mark, first used a gay slur on his Twitter account in an exchange with one of his followers last weekend. Earlier, he had posted comments that called Chiefs coach Todd Haley's qualifications into question.

Then, in a whispered remark Monday after telling reporters in the locker room he was not talking, Johnson repeated the slur, according to the Kansas City Star, which has posted audio of the alleged comment.

Johnson issued an apology on Tuesday, almost exactly 12 months after apologizing to the team and its fans and ownership for two incidents in Kansas City nightspots that led to his pleading guilty to disturbing the peace.

Those problems caused him to be benched for three games in 2008 and suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for an additional game.

Chris Mortensen is an senior NFL analyst for ESPN.