Akers cut...Teixeira out until May...Granger, Jefferson still on mend...NCAA lifts New Jersey ban

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Six-time Pro Bowl kicker David Akers has been released by the San Francisco 49ers after two seasons. Akers set NFL records in 2011 with 44 field goals made and 52 attempted, while tying the league mark with a 63-yarde boot against Green Bay in the season opener. But Akers made just 29 of 44 attempts last season, his lowest percentage since 1999.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (teh-SHEHR'-uh) will to be out at least until early May with a strained right wrist tendon. Teixeira was hurt swinging a bat in an indoor cage while practicing with the U.S. team for the World Baseball Classic. The Yankees already planned to open the season without third baseman Alex Rodriguez and center fielder Curtis Granderson, and they are still awaiting shortstop Derek Jeter's preseason debut.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pacers forward Danny Granger could miss another week with a sore left knee. Granger missed the first 54 games with the same injury and sat out the second half of Sunday night's victory over Chicago after aggravating the injury. He has led the Pacers in scoring each of the last five seasons.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Utah Jazz starting center Al Jefferson will miss his third straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Jefferson was averaging 17.7 points and 9.4 rebounds when he was injured in a loss to Atlanta last week. Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said there is no timetable on Jefferson's return.

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) — The NCAA has lifted a recent ban against New Jersey schools being allowed to host tournament games or championships sanctioned by the sports governing body. The NCAA informed its member schools of the decision in a memo after a U.S. District Judge in Trenton issued a permanent injunction last week, barring New Jersey from offering sports betting in the state. Gov. Chris Christie signed a sports wagering law last year, but the NCAA and four major sports leagues challenged it.