LJWorld.com

East Rutherford, N.J. — The New York Giants might make a decision on Plaxico Burress’ immediate football future before the justice system or the NFL hands down rulings.

In the wake of an accidental shooting that led to weapons-possession charges against Burress on Monday, the Giants’ hierarchy discussed the team’s options. The Giants recognize there’s a chance the star receiver who caught the winning pass in the Super Bowl might be able to report for the team’s next practice Wednesday.

“We are dealing with that,” coach Tom Coughlin said in a conference call. “Today we have had some discussions. Those discussions will be ongoing.”

The Giants have several choices for dealing with Burress, who Monday was taken to court in handcuffs on weapons-possession charges and released after posting $100,000 bail.

They suspended him for a game and fined him earlier this season for missing a team meeting in September, so they could do that again — or possibly give him a longer suspension. He also can be put on the non-football injury list, with the team having the option whether to pay him.

There are more extreme actions, such as releasing Burress. However, that could put a strain on the team’s salary cap next season. Burress signed a $35 million contract days before the start of the season, and $11 million is believed to be guaranteed.

The team could let Burress return to practice but not allow him to play in Sunday’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. They also could let him play, but that seems unlikely if his history is taken into account.

NFL

Bucs mum on Monte Kiffin

Tampa, Fla. — Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect to have Monte Kiffin drawing up defensive game plans for the rest of the season, his future with the NFC South co-leaders remains unclear.

Neither Kiffin or the Bucs have done anything to end speculation that the 68-year-old defensive coordinator has decided to leave the NFL to work for his son, Lane, the new coach at the University of Tennessee.

Texans down Jags, 30-17

Houston — Mario Williams, Steve Slaton and the Houston Texans put on quite a show in their Monday Night Football debut.

Williams had a season-high three sacks and forced a fumble, and Slaton ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Texans to a 30-17 victory over the slumping Jacksonville Jaguars.

Andre Johnson added a TD reception, and Kris Brown kicked three field goals in the win.

Browns’ Anderson done

Berea, Ohio — Derek Anderson’s season is officially over, yet another slap for the down-on-their-luck Cleveland Browns.

Anderson, who lost his starting job to Brady Quinn several weeks ago, will miss the final four games after tearing a ligament in his left knee Sunday against Indianapolis.

College football

MU coordinator takes job

Dave Christensen, the architect of the offense that vaulted Missouri back to national prominence and helped make quarterback Chase Daniel the school’s first Heisman Trophy finalist, is moving on to become the next head coach at Wyoming.

Christensen agreed to terms Sunday on a five-year contract with a base salary of $180,000 and a total package that could exceed $750,000 per year, and the school announced the deal Monday night.

Vols introduce Kiffin

Knoxville, Tenn. — Lane Kiffin, the former coach of the NFL Oakland Raiders, is the new coach of Tennessee.

Kiffin becomes the school’s 21st coach, but only the third in the last 32 years. His selection comes after “the first national search for a football coach in University of Tennessee history,” athletic director Mike Hamilton said.

Clemson picks Swinney

Clemson, S.C. — Clemson is sticking with Dabo Swinney, giving the Tigers’ interim coach a five-year contract Monday to replace former boss Tommy Bowden.

Swinney’s salary and possible incentives in the deal won’t be released until the contract is approved by the university’s Board of Trustees Compensation Committee.

Tech’s Harrell recovering

Lubbock, Texas — Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was recovering Monday from surgery to repair nine breaks in two fingers of his non-throwing hand, but he won’t miss any playing time.

Penn State mascot arrested

State College, Pa. — The Penn State senior who plays the Nittany Lion mascot was arrested on a DUI charge, and his status for the Rose Bowl is in doubt, police and school officials said.

Ex-Iowa State player dies

Omaha, Neb. — Head injuries caused the death of a 25-year-old former Creighton Prep and Iowa State University football player.

Stevie Hicks was found about 8:30 a.m. Friday on Interstate 480 in the area of the Dodge Street interchange. Hicks was taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

NBA

Brewer out for season

Minneapolis — Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Corey Brewer will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee.

Knicks seeking solution

Greenburgh, N.Y. — Stephon Marbury was ordered to stay away from the New York Knicks on Monday while the team looks for a solution to the latest controversy surrounding its point guard.

“After meeting with Stephon and his representative this afternoon, we have directed Stephon not to participate in practice or attend games until further notice,” Knicks president Donnie Walsh said in a statement. “We want to continue to meet with him to discuss a long-term resolution.”

Baseball

Hampton to rejoin Astros

Houston — Mike Hampton is set to return to the Houston Astros, reaching a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract.

His deal would contain an additional $2 million in performance bonuses, a person familiar with the agreement said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized. The oft-injured 36-year-old left-hander must pass a physical for the agreement to be finalized.

Sabathia offered arbitration

Milwaukee — Free agents CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse were offered salary arbitration Monday by the Brewers, ensuring Milwaukee will receive compensatory picks in next year’s amateur draft if they sign elsewhere.

Also:

n Toronto — A.J. Burnett, one of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason, was offered salary arbitration by the Blue Jays.

n New York — The New York Yankees declined salary arbitration with all eight of their former players who became free agents, a group that includes pitcher Andy Pettitte and right fielder Bobby Abreu.

n Seattle — Raul Ibanez was offered salary arbitration Monday by the Mariners.

n New York — Free-agent pitcher Oliver Perez was offered salary arbitration by the New York Mets.

The Mets did not offer arbitration to their other free agents: Pedro Martinez, Luis Ayala, Damion Easley, Moises Alou, Orlando Hernandez, Tony Armas Jr., Ramon Martinez, Trot Nixon, Ricardo Rincon and Matt Wise.

n Oakland, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics declined to offer salary arbitration to their four free agents, including slugger Frank Thomas.

The others are relievers Alan Embree and Keith Foulke and outfielder Emil Brown.

Cycling

Armstrong to race in Tour

Austin, Texas — Lance Armstrong will ride in the 2009 Tour de France, marking the first time he will compete in that race and the Giro d’Italia in the same year.

“I’m committed to riding for the best guy,” Armstrong said Monday, acknowledging the taxing schedule could leave him riding in a supporting role in France.

College volleyball

NU’s Larson honored

Lincoln, Neb. — Two-time All-American Jordan Larson is the Big 12’s volleyball player of the year, and four of her teammates also have won conference honors.

Larson also was named defensive player of the year Monday.

Nebraska’s Sydney Anderson is newcomer of the year, and John Cook is coach of the year.

Larson, Anderson, Kori Cooper and Tara Mueller all were named to the All-Big 12 first team, and Amanda Gates earned honorable mention.