Keyshawn files for divorce in L.A.

Keyshawn Johnson is divorcing his wife of four years, Shikiri, and the despondent Bucs receiver took an excused absence Thursday.

Citing irreconcilable differences, Johnson filed in Los Angeles superior court Tuesday.

The two were married on Valentine's Day in 1998 and have a 6-year-old daughter, Maia, and a 4-year-old son, Keyshawn Jr.

Johnson has been separated from his wife, the former Shikiri Hightower, since Sept. 2.

"I'm just a little emotionally drained right now and needed a day to stay home, rest and be with my kids," Johnson said from his Tampa home. "I should be back (today)."

Johnson, 30, leads the Bucs with 55 catches for 800 yards and four touchdowns.

"I don't expect it to have any bearing on his availability for the game," coach Jon Gruden said. "It's a personal matter and I can't really comment further on it."

Receiver Joe Jurevicius took Johnson's repetitions with the first-team offense in practice.

"It's a personal matter that Keyshawn is dealing with," Gruden said. "At the same time, we have to prepare to play without him in case it does not resolve itself in a timely fashion."

Gruden would not speculate if this has affected Johnson's performance this season. He had five receptions for 53 yards Sunday night at New Orleans.

"I really don't want to comment on that," Gruden said. "The guy had a couple of things that had been weighing on him and I'm not going to speak for him. We've got a mature team and we're not worried about our players being distracted. I think a lot of them understand the situation."

Johnson was traded to the Bucs from the Jets for two No. 1 picks before the 2000 draft. The couple has maintained a primary residence in Los Angeles.