LAS VEGAS - Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker remained hospitalized with a concussion and a battered face yesterday, one day after he was beaten, robbed and left unconscious on a Las Vegas street after a night of partying.

A large amount of cash and some jewelry were taken from Walker, who suffered "significant injuries," police said.

Police Lt. Clinton Nichols said detectives are retracing Walker's activities in the hours before he was found injured Monday morning on a street off the Las Vegas Strip.

Tech star Williams released from Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons released disgruntled safety Jimmy Williams, two years after trading up 10 spots to pick him in the second round of the NFL draft.

"It's a football decision," new Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

With only seven career starts in 27 games, Williams made a poor first impression on Smith, who demoted the former Virginia Tech standout to third string after he reported to a voluntary minicamp nearly 20 pounds overweight.

Williams skipped the next two days of the voluntary camp, but was present at every team session before yesterday.

"I knew it could get to this point, but I wasn't sure it would," Williams told the Newport News Daily Press. "They've been upset with my weight, but I didn't think the weight thing was a big issue. I thought they were hiding behind that. "

Cowboys excuse T.O. from mandatory camp

IRVING, Texas - Terrell Owens has been excused from the Dallas Cowboys' mandatory offseason minicamp this week while dealing with a personal family matter.

Simms a no-show, wants release

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms, a one-time starter who hasn't played in a regular-season game since rupturing his spleen in September 2006, was a no-show for the start of the team's mandatory three-day minicamp.

The sixth-year pro has described his soured relationship with coach Jon Gruden as beyond repair and would like to be released so he can try to revive his career with another club.

Elsewhere . . .