Updated: 11:03 p.m.
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired coach Lovie Smith on Wednesday night.
Smith went 6-10 this season and 8-24 over two years in charge of the team. The announcement came as a surprise to many because Smith's job was not considered to be in danger.
A statement from Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer said, "This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve. `'
General manager Jason Licht will oversee the search for a new coach.
Smith led the Chicago Bears to the NFC title in 2006, when they lost to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. He was 84-66 in nine seasons with Chicago (see full story).
Lions: Calvin Johnson contemplating retirement
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson says he plans to make a decision about his future soon.
NFL
Johnson says he is evaluating options. The Lions said Wednesday they understand and appreciate his decision to give proper thought to his future in the NFL.
Johnson has declined to say if he will restructure his contract, which calls for him to count $24 million against the salary cap next season when he turns 31.
Detroit drafted him No. 2 overall in 2007 and he broke one of Jerry Rice's single-season records three years ago with 1,964 yards receiving. He had 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015.
Bengals: A step back for Andy Dalton
CINCINNATI — Andy Dalton walked around the field in a stocking cap, coat and gloves on Wednesday, a step back from a day earlier when he did conditioning drills and threw a pass left-handed.
The Bengals quarterback had hoped that his broken right thumb would be well enough to let him be at least a backup for Cincinnati's home playoff game on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He'd been doing conditioning drills for the past week and got his cast off on Monday.
He wore a sweatshirt and sweatpants to practice on Tuesday, took a couple of snaps and made his left-handed lob — a bit of fun. Then he resumed his conditioning work.
There was none of that Wednesday, when he stood around.
Chiefs: LB Justin Houston plans to play
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston confirmed Wednesday that he plans to play in Saturday's wild-card game in Houston, his first game since hyperextending his knee in November.
The All-Pro pass rusher did light work last Friday but was not active for Sunday's regular-season finale against Cleveland. He's been practicing this week with a brace on his knee.
Houston acknowledged that "I definitely got some rust to knock off." But his return should be a boon for the Chiefs, who have had to make do without their best pass rusher for the past five games.
Fellow pass rusher Tamba Hali is also expected to play. He returned last week from a broken thumb but only played 14 snaps against the Browns.
Patriots: Tom Brady's ankle better
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says his right ankle is feeling better.
Brady walked without an apparent limp for his media availability on Wednesday. He said getting the week off before the Patriots' first playoff game will be helpful.
"This is the first time we've had off in quite a while," he said.
Brady has received treatment for his ankle after Miami defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh landed on it in Sunday's 20-10 Dolphins victory.
Brady was held without a touchdown pass in the game for the first time this season.
The Patriots have the first week of the playoffs off. They will play Cincinnati, Houston or Kansas City on Jan. 16.
Jets: Wilkerson to have surgery on broken leg
NEW YORK — New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson says he is having surgery Wednesday to repair his broken right leg.
Wilkerson, selected to his first Pro Bowl this season, broke his fibula in the third quarter of the Jets' 22-17 loss at Buffalo last Sunday.
He writes on Twitter that he "didn't expect the season to end so soon and start the new year with an injury but it's part of the game."
Wilkerson had a career-high 12 sacks in his fifth NFL season as a key part of Todd Bowles' defense. He's scheduled to be a free agent this offseason. The 26-year-old defensive end has been looking for a long-term extension from the Jets, who could use the franchise tag on him rather than let him hit the free-agent market.