EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The 2012 NFL season starts tonight when the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants kick off the first game of the campaign. Tonight’s contest is being played in East Rutherford, N.J., and features a pair of long-time NFC East rivals. The Giants won the division last year with a mark of 9-7 while the Cowboys finished 8-8.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Fans of the Cleveland Browns take good news whenever they can get it. Today it came in the form of an update on rookie running back Trent Richardson. The club says the third-overall pick in this year’s NFL draft has practiced for the first time since having knee injury in early August and that he will play in Sunday’s home opener against Philadelphia.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has pledged $30 million for medical research into the brain, specifically concussion management and treatment, and the understanding of the relationship between traumatic brain injury and late-life neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease. The pledge was made to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sara Errani has advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Open. She eliminated good friend and doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4 today. Third-seed Maria Sharapova was also a winner today, defeating 11th-seed Marion Bartoli, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals is looking for his 18th win of the season tonight as the Nats entertain the Cubs. The Nationals lead the NL East by 7 ½ games over the Braves.

Scores as of 4 PM Wednesday:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chi White Sox 6 Minnesota 1 (Top 9th)
L.A. Angels 3 Oakland 1 (Top 4th)
Cleveland at Detroit 6:05 p.m.
Baltimore at Toronto 6:07 p.m.
N-Y Yankees at Tampa Bay 6:10 p.m.
Texas at Kansas City 7:10 p.m.
Boston at Seattle 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia 6 Cincinnati 2
N-Y Mets 6 St. Louis 2
Chi Cubs at Washington 6:05 p.m.
Houston at Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
Colorado at Atlanta 6:10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Miami 6:10 p.m.
San Diego at L.A. Dodgers 9:10 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco 9:15 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Dallas at N-Y Giants 7:30 p.m.