NFL notes

— NFL

Burress gets 2 years

NEW YORK - Former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a nightclub and later reaching a plea deal on weapons charges.

Burress, 32, was indicted on two counts of weapon possession and one count of reckless endangerment and pleaded guilty Aug. 20. He had faced a minimum sentence of 3 1 /2 years on those charges if convicted at trial. He pleaded to the lesser charge and agreed to the two-year term.

With time off for good behavior, Burress likely will serve 20 months. He could be released from prison as early as the spring of 2011 and will be monitored an additional two years after he is freed.

The Giants released Burress in April, but he told ESPN he hopes to resume his NFL career when he completes his sentence. The NFL already has announced his suspension will be lifted upon completion of his sentence.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass for the Giants over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, and former teammate Antonio Pierce were at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan last November when a .40-caliber gun tucked into Burress' waistband slipped down his leg and fired, wounding him.

COWBOYS

RB on practice squad DALLAS - The Dallas Cowboys have signed running back Chauncey Washington to their practice squad, two days after starter Marion Barber got hurt.

Washington played in six games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008 as a rookie seventh-round draft pick out of Southern California. He had 4 carries for 9 yards and 1 catch for 9 yards.

The Cowboys said Monday that Barber has a quadriceps injury but haven't announced when he might return. Barber ran for 124 yards and touchdown before getting hurt late in Sunday's 33-31 loss to the New York Giants. The team is deep at the position, with Felix Jones (Arkansas Razorbacks) and Tashard Choice behind Barber.

To make room on the practice squad for Washington, the Cowboys released fullback Julius Crosslin.

Dallas hosts the Carolina Panthers on Monday night.

PATRIOTS RAVENS Linebacker traded

BALTIMORE - The New England Patriots have obtained linebacker Prescott Burgess from the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.

Burgess was used primarily by the Ravens on special teams this season. He was picked in the sixth round of the 2007 draft and played in eight games as a rookie before spending last year on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

The Ravens filled the vacant roster spot by signing tight end Tony Curtis, a three-year veteran who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles this month.

Curtis, 6-5, 251 pounds, has played in 36 career games, making 11 catches for 50 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was originally signed as a rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005.

RAMS Receiver signed

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams have signed wide receiver Danny Amendola off the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad.

Wide receiver Derek Stanley was waived to make room for Amendola, who spent the 2008 regular season on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad after being undrafted, and then joined the Eagles' practice squad in the playoffs.

Stanley, a seventh-round draft pick in 2007, returned two punts for a 6.5-yard average last week. Kenneth Darby was held to a 14.3-yard average on three kickoff returns. Stanley had 6 receptions for 119 yards and 1 touchdown last year.

Sports, Pages 26 on 09/23/2009

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