Earnhardt Is Released, Will Race This Weekend

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was released from a Sacramento hospital Monday, one day after being burned on the face and legs in a crash during a warmup for an American Le Mans Series race.

The NASCAR star, son of the late Dale Earnhardt, was flown to UC Davis Medical Center on Sunday after the car he was driving crashed and turned into a fireball at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

Earnhardt was treated for second-degree burns on the insides of his legs and on his chin, according to a hospital statement. The burns covered about 6% of his body.

Steve Crisp, a spokesman for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said Earnhardt will compete in this weekend’s Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Pro Football

Eddie George, Tennessee’s all-time leading rusher, rejected the Titans’ latest contract offer and asked the team to release him quickly so he could seek a job with a new team.

George and Lamont Smith, his agent, considered the Titans’ offer over the weekend, but the proposal had not changed significantly from what the team offered in March.

“I’m not accepting it,” George told Associated Press. “My expectation when making the decision is to be released. At that point, I’m looking at other options.”

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Paul Tagliabue will remain NFL commissioner through the end of the 2007 season.

Tagliabue has officially agreed to the new deal, announced in March, to extend his current contract that would have expired after next season, league officials said.

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Green Bay claimed third-year linebacker Tyreo Harrison on waivers from Philadelphia.... Tight end Kris Wilson, a second-round draft choice of Kansas City, has signed a four-year contract with the team.... Former USC receiver Keary Colbert, a second-round pick by Carolina, signed with the team.... New England signed nose tackle Vince Wilfork, the 21st overall pick in this year’s draft, to a six-year contract that could be worth more than $18 million.

Tennis

Qualifier Florent Serra upset former champion Bohdan Ulihrach, 6-3, 6-1, in the opening round of the Croatia Open at Umag.... Albert Portas was beaten by Spanish compatriot Oscar Hernandez, 6-1, 6-4, in the first round of the clay-court Generali Open at Kitzbuehel, Austria.

Miscellany

UCLA center Ryan Hollins will have surgery on his right knee today. Hollins, who will be a junior, is expected to recover by the time UCLA practice begins in the fall.

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College World Series champion Cal State Fullerton hired Jason Gill as an assistant baseball coach to fill a vacancy on the Titan staff.