Burress to testify before grand jury

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress will testify today before the grand jury in New York that is investigating weapons charges against him, his attorney said Tuesday.

Burress, 31, shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub early on the morning of Nov. 29. He was accompanied by teammate Antonio Pierce, who could also be charged in the case.

Burress was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

Burress has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail. The Giants released Burress in April.

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The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA asked a federal judge for a preliminary injunction to prevent Delaware from implementing its sports betting plan.

TENNIS

Williams sisters win their openers

Serena Williams broke serve three times in the opening set but needed a second-set tiebreaker to beat Li Na, 6-3, 7-6 (6), at the Bank of the West Classic at Stanford, just hours after her sister Venus’ 6-2, 6-3 win over Stephanie Dubois.

Earlier, Daniela Hantuchova outlasted defending champion Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, in 2 hours 33 minutes.

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French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has pulled out of next week’s L.A. Women’s Tennis Championships because of a foot injury.

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Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated Christophe Rochus, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round of the Croatia Open in Umag.

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Top-seeded Vera Zvonareva and second-seeded Patty Schnyder failed to reach the second round of the Istanbul Cup.

NBA

Mavericks sign Tim Thomas

The Dallas Mavericks have signed free-agent forward Tim Thomas.

The 6-foot-10 Thomas, a 12-year veteran, played for the Clippers, New York Knicks and Chicago last season.

He averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in his 64 games, 36 with the Knicks, 18 with the Bulls and 10 with the Clippers. He played 19 1/2 minutes a game.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed first-round draft pick Brandon Jennings to a two-year contract worth at least $3.75 million.

FOOTBALL

Edwards is put on injury list

The Cleveland Browns have put wide receiver Braylon Edwards on the non-football injury list. The team did not specify an injury in making the announcement.

A message seeking comment was left with Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis.

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Alabama formally asked the NCAA to restore 21 vacated wins to the football program in a 29-page appeal.

The appeal said the penalty was “so excessive as to constitute an abuse of discretion.”

ETC.

Rachel Alexandra won’t head west

Horse racing fans eager to see filly Rachel Alexandra run in the Breeders’ Cup will have to wait until next year. Owner Jess Jackson said during a conference call he’s “firm” in his decision to keep the Preakness winner from this fall’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

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The Ducks hired Pete Peeters as a goaltending consultant.

Peeters joins the Ducks after having served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending coach for the last eight seasons.

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Matt Kenseth’s sponsorship search lasted less than a week.

Roush Fenway Racing said Tuesday that it will move Crown Royal to the former NASCAR champion’s car next season.

PASSINGS

Eagles assistant Johnson, 68

Jim Johnson, whose attacking defenses helped the Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance and five NFC title games, has died. He was 68.

Johnson had taken a leave of absence from the team in May as he continued to battle a cancerous tumor on his spine.

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Former California Angels relief pitcher Luis Quintana has died in Florida. Palm Beach County sheriff’s officials said in a statement that Quintana, 57, died of natural causes. He was found in his car Monday after it crashed.