BOSTON - Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi was released from Massachusetts General Hospital Friday after spending two days there recovering from a mild stroke that caused numbness, blurred vision and severe headaches.

Bruschi, 31, waved and smiled but didn't comment to reporters as he stepped into a waiting sports utility vehicle. Patriots spokesman Stacey James did not respond to questions about whether Bruschi would be able to play football again.

Experts say his return will depend on the stroke's cause and severity. A mild stroke isn't necessarily career-ending for a professional athlete, but the risk is higher for someone who takes the punishment of an NFL linebacker.

TAMPA, Fla. - Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Akili Smith has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith was the third player selected in the 1999 draft, but appeared in only 22 games in four disappointing seasons with the Bengals. He signed with Green Bay before the 2003 season, but did not make the team.Smith already had agreed to play in NFL Europe although he was not affiliated with any NFL team. The Bucs said he will play for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Defensive end John Abraham was designated the New York Jets' franchise player Friday with a one-year deal worth $6.7 million. Abraham was second on the Jets with 9½ sacks last season despite missing the team's final four games with a knee injury. He was voted to the Pro Bowl but the injury kept him out of the game.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Mark Martin became the winningest driver in IROC history Friday, moving past the late Dale Earnhardt and Al Unser Jr. by taking the season-opening race.Martin earned his 12th International Race of Champions victory by passing fellow NASCAR Nextel Cup star Matt Kenseth on a restart with four laps remaining.

DENVER) - LeBron James will not participate in the NBA's All-Star dunk contest. James ended days of speculation Friday by deciding to sit out the competition because of a sore left ankle and a lingering flu.James still hasn't fully recovered from a sprained ankle that caused him to miss two games last month. James did play on the sophomore team in the Rookie Challenge on Friday, and scored 20 points. He will be a starter for the East in the Sunday's All-Star Game.Denver's Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points to lead the sophomores to a 133-106 victory over the rookies in a competitive matchup between the top stars from the two classes.