NFL: Eagles release Westbrook

Brian Westbrook was released by the Eagles, ending an often-dynamic eight-year run with the team. Westbrook spent much of last season on the sidelines, missing eight games with a pair of concussions and an ankle injury. He was due $7.25 million next season.

* The Panthers announced the team won’t place the restrictive franchise tag on five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, meaning Peppers will become an unrestricted free agent. . . . The 49ers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin.

* Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson pleaded guilty to a DUI charge and was sentenced to four days in jail and five years of probation.

* Former Raiders assistant Randy Hanson has sued head coach Tom Cable and the team. The suit alleges that Cable committed assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress when he allegedly attacked Hanson last August.

NBA: Cavs snap slide

In Cleveland, LeBron James had 20 points and 12 assists as the Cavaliers beat the Hornets 105-95 and snapped a three-game losing streak. Hornets rookies Marcus Thornton and Darren Collison combined for 59 points.

* Wizards forward Josh Howard will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee.

SOCCER: Barcelona saves draw

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored off the rebound of his initial shot in the 52nd minute, giving defending champion Barcelona a 1-1 tie at Stuttgart in the first round of the second leg of the European Champions League.

* Fernando Rossi, a renowned high school soccer coach in northern New Jersey and the father of Italian national team soccer player Giuseppe Rossi, died yesterday morning. He was 60.

ETC.: Michigan in trouble

The NCAA accused Michigan of failing to comply with practice time rules under embattled coach Rich Rodriguez, who admitted making “mistakes” but will be back for a third try at bringing college football’s winningest program back into the national title hunt.

* Aaron Boone, remembered best for his walkoff home run against the Red Sox in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS that sent the Yankees to the World Series, announced his retirement as a player following a 12-year major league career and will become a baseball analyst for ESPN.

* Top-seeded Venus Williams won her first clay-court match of the season, defeating Mathilde Johansson of France 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Mexican Open.