Authorities said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated about his role in the shooting, and the Giants weren't sure what action they would take against Burress. The NFL said it was monitoring developments. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also weighed in, saying it would be an outrage ''if we didn't prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.''

Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub about 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He didn't have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.

A witness reported hearing a popping sound before Burress' legs began to shake, according to a criminal complaint. It said the person saw a bloody pistol fall out of his pants leg and land on the floor before Burress said, ''Take me to a hospital.''

It's believed Pierce took Burress to the car and then left with him, according to police. Burress was treated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and released later Saturday.

Burress was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which might result in a prison sentence of at least 3 1/2 years. He wasn't required to enter a plea and is due back in court March 31. Burress didn't say anything in court.

''He is standing tall; he is a mature adult,'' said Benjamin Brafman, Burress' defense lawyer. ''I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned.''

Pierce, meanwhile, declined to provide specifics about the incident during a radio interview but said many facts of the case have been ''misconstrued'' and ''distorted.'' He said he has hired an attorney but said he doesn't see himself being arrested.

''Today has been a headache, and that's about all I can say,'' he told WFAN-AM.

Originally, police had said running back Derrick Ward was with Burress and Pierce at the club, relying on information given to them by security guards there. But police said later it was unclear whether Ward was at the club, and Ward denied that he was.

Injury report: Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee when he was sacked in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts . Anderson's knee will be put in a brace and will need four to six weeks to recover.

Anderson started the Browns' first eight games before losing his job to Brady Quinn, who suffered a season-ending broken finger Nov. 23 against the Houston Texans . Now that Anderson is out for the season, too, that means the Browns will start Ken Dorsey on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans .

- Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was still sore after suffering a groin injury in the second quarter Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Dick Jauron said Edwards' status for the Bills' game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins in Toronto won't be known until later in the week.

- Dallas Cowboys linebacker and league sacks leader DeMarcus Ware (hyperextended left knee) and running back Marion Barber (dislocated pinkie toe on right foot) are day-to-day after being hurt Thursday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Pats-Bucs in London: The New England Patriots will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 25 next season in London, the third year in a row the NFL will hold a regular-season game there. The Bucs will be the home team.