The Chiefs have suspended running back Larry Johnson two weeks for conduct detrimental to the team after he took a shot at head coach Todd Haley via his Twitter page last Sunday night. He also used a homophobic slur to degrade another Twitter user that had criticized him for his off-field troubles.

Kansas City is on a bye this week, so Johnson might only miss one game. But during the next two weeks, the Chiefs will evaluate backup Jamaal Charles and then see how Johnson responds to the punishment.

LJ should take a page out of Brandon Marshall’s playbook and respond favorably to his suspension. When the Broncos suspended Marshall earlier this season, he apologized and then when he returned, he was on his best behavior. He hasn’t complained since and now he’s on an undefeated team that is considering re-signing him to a long-term extension.

Granted, Marshall and Johnson’s situations are a little different. LJ isn’t playing for a new contract like Marshall is and even if he does turn into a choirboy, the Chiefs have zero shot of making the playoffs (unlike the Broncos). That said, Johnson owes it to his teammates and his organization not to be a distraction, especially considering that he isn’t even producing on the field. He does his team and himself more harm if he’s a malcontent then if he just owns up to what he did and move on.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens. The smart money is on Johnson being released either during or after the season. The Chiefs will probably make him suffer the rest of the year in Kansas City and then dispose of him in the offseason. Given his age, lack of production and off field issues, there’s just no reason to keep him in a Chiefs uniform.

NFL.com reports that the Chiefs have ordered Larry Johnson to refrain from team activities in the wake of comments he made on his Twitter page about head coach Todd Haley. Johnson also used a homophonic slur to degrade another Twitter user that had commented on LJ’s page.

On Tuesday, Haley suggested that Jamaal Charles has earned a larger role in Kansas City’s offense and could take over the fulltime tailback duties while the team investigates Johnson’s situation. The 22-year old back has flashed big play potential throughout his short career, but he’s had problems holding onto the ball and has been an inconsistent performer.

It appears that the writing is on the wall for Johnson. While Charles isn’t the answer to the Chiefs’ rushing woes (it doesn’t matter who takes the carries if KC’s O-line doesn’t start opening running lanes), he’s worth taking a shot on while Johnson is busy being a malcontent off the field. The cap hit might be too great for the Chiefs to outright release LJ but given his age and production (or lack thereof), don’t rule out the possibility.

Haley has stood by Johnson all season, but it appears that he has had enough. The Chiefs are off this week, but one would imagine that Haley will prep Charles for the fulltime role and depending on what happens with LJ in the next two weeks, Charles will get the opportunity to start at Jacksonville in Week 9.

In his latest edition of “Monday Morning Quarterback,” SI.com NFL guru Peter King makes a great point about the possible mistake the Chiefs made in not paying defensive end Jared Allen and subsequently trading him to the Vikings in the ’08 offseason:

What the Chiefs got:

1st round (15th overall) Branden Albert, OT — Starting LT has a chance to be good. In-and-out work ethic.
3rd round (73) Jamaal Charles, RB — Change-of-pace back averaging five carries a game in 21 pro games.
3rd round (82) DaJuan Morgan, S — Sub safety who still has to prove self to new coaching staff.
6th round (182) Kevin Robinson, WR — Cut by Chiefs in ’08.

What the Vikings got:

Jared Allen, DE — The league’s best all-around defensive end has 21 sacks and three safeties in 22 Viking games.
6th round (187) John Sullivan, C — First-year starting center on one of NFL’s best lines.
It’s not certain, but it’s possible that history will show that the Vikings got a more productive player at 187 (Sullivan) than the Chiefs got at 15 (Albert). Ouch.

King makes a great point by illustrating that the Chiefs are definitely on the losing end of this trade so far. Allen has been outstanding and the Vikings felt confident enough in Sullivan’s abilities not to panic when long-time center Matt Birk signed with Baltimore in the offseason.

That said, Albert was a highly regarded offensive line prospect in the 2008 draft. In fact, he was even being considered as a top 5 pick entering the draft and many pundits were surprised that he slipped to the Chiefs at No. 15. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he winds up being a good player once he gets a few years of experience under his belt.

It would probably be more fair to look at this trade after the 2010 season when the Kansas City players have had three years of service in the league. Plus, Allen wouldn’t have been a fit for their new 3-4 defensive front anyway, so the Chiefs shouldn’t lose sleep over the deal. Still, it’s always interesting to look back.

…and it isn’t for stiff-arming that woman in the nightclub. This is a team suspension.

The Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday suspended running back Larry Johnson one game for violating a team rule.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards refused to disclose what rule the two-time Pro Bowler broke. Edwards did say the violation had nothing to do with the charge of simple assault filed against Johnson earlier this week.

KansasCity.com says that Kolby Smith, not Jamaal Charles, will get the start, but Charles will no doubt see increased action.

Neither guy is a good play against a great Tennessee defense, but if you have room you could stash one or both away in case LJ sees further punishment from the league for the assault.