The Associated Press

BEREA - Doctors fitted Tim Couch with a cast on his broken right leg Monday, and the Cleveland Browns' quarterback will watch the playoffs from the sidelines.

Couch, whose inconsistency left many Browns fans begging for backup Kelly Holcomb all season, broke the leg early in the second quarter of Cleveland's 24-16 win Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons.

"It's probably at least a 4-to-6 week healing process," Browns coach Butch Davis said. "That's a huge blow to the team. We certainly wouldn't be in the playoffs if not for the performances and victories he helped lead this team to."

Holcomb, who relieved Couch on Sunday, will start Sunday's first-round playoff game in Pittsburgh. He made two starts earlier this season while Couch was recovering from an elbow injury.

HEATH DEAD: Former Bengals defensive back Jo Jo Heath was found stabbed to death near a wooded side street in Charleroi, Pa., 20 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Heath, 45, starred for the University of Pittsburgh as a four-year letterman from 1976-79 and was a defensive back on Pitt's 1976 national championship team.

Heath was the Bengals' sixth-round draft choice in 1980 and played one year in Cincinnati before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981.

BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said he expects starting quarterback Brad Johnson to practice this week and return to the lineup when the Bucs (12-4) host an NFC divisional playoff game the weekend of Jan.11-12.

LIONS: Cornerback Todd Lyght retired after his 12th NFL season ended. Lyght, 33, spent his first 10 seasons with the Los Angeles-St.Louis Rams, helping the Rams win the Super Bowl during the 1999 season, before signing with the Lions as a free agent two years ago.

RAIDERS: Tight end Roland Williams has a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, a complete tear of the medial collateral ligament and possible meniscus damage - but he still might play in the postseason.

REDSKINS: Bruce Smith has been talked out of retirement three sacks short of the NFL record. For now, at least.

The 18-year veteran had planned to announce his retirement but postponed his plans after meeting with Washington team owner Dan Snyder, defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and Gerry Snyder, the owner's father and partner.

PACKERS: Green Bay isn't ruling out Donald Driver for their playoff game Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Packers coach Mike Sherman said an MRI exam confirmed the diagnosis of a bruised and strained right shoulder for Driver, the Packers' leader in receptions, yards and TD catches.

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