AUSTIN, Texas — Already an outcast in cycling after a massive doping report, Lance Armstrong absorbed hits much closer to home Wednesday: to his wallet and his heart.

Armstrong was dumped by Nike, Anheuser-Busch and other sponsors, and he gave up the top spot at Livestrong, his beloved cancer-fighting charity known for its yellow wrist bracelets, a week after an anti-doping agency released evidence of drug use by the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Armstrong stepped down as chairman of Livestrong in an attempt to minimize the damage caused by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's report.

METAIRIE, La. — Jonathan Vilma practiced for the first time with the Saints in 2012 following months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired left knee and the suspended linebacker could play this weekend.Interim head coach Aaron Kromer says the Saints are eager to get Vilma back on the field as soon as he's ready, which could be this Sunday at Tampa Bay.The linebacker is appealing his season-long suspension in connection with the league's bounty investigation of New Orleans to Commissioner Roger Goodell. Vilma also is challenging his punishment in federal court.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky freshman forward Nerlens Noel has been cleared by the NCAA to play this season for the Wildcats.NCAA spokesman Cameron Schuh said the 6-foot-10, 228-pound Noel was “cleared to practice and play” following a probe into the funding of unofficial visits to Kentucky.Schuh did not provide any details or findings of the NCAA's investigation.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sister said Wednesday that NASCAR's most popular driver could be back racing next week at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.Earnhardt will miss his second consecutive race Sunday at Kansas because of two concussions suffered in a six-week span.