Sports briefs: Boston's Patrice Bergeron hospitalized with punctured lung

NHL • Patrice Bergeron has a punctured lung and is at a Boston-area hospital for observation.

The Bruins forward was admitted Monday night, after Boston lost to Chicago, 3-2, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final — a defeat that ended the season.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien addressed Bergeron's status Wednesday.

Bergeron was already slowed by injuries headed into Game 6. He was a question mark to even play due to a broken rib and torn cartilage.

Olympians excel in 100 free prelims

Swimming • Four Olympic gold medalists qualified for both the men's and women's 100-meter freestyle finals Tuesday at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis.

The morning's prelims got off to a rousing start with Natalie Coughlin, Missy Franklin and Jessica Hardy all reaching the women's 100 free final.

Four of the men's 100 free qualifiers also own Olympic gold: Nathan Adrian, Anthony Ervin, Matt Grevers and Ryan Lochte.

Browns release rookie after charges

NFL • The Cleveland Browns have released a rookie who is charged with attempted murder for allegedly punching a man outside a club in New Jersey.

Ausar Walcott turned himself in to Passaic police Tuesday after he was identified as a suspect in an incident that happened around 3 a.m. Sunday.

From wire reports