RENTON, Wash.  — The struggling Seattle Seahawks have released running back Edgerrin James.

The Seahawks made the move Tuesday, two days after a lackluster 38-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

James signed with Seattle in late August hoping to revitalize a career that fell flat after moving from Indianapolis to Arizona.

In seven games as the backup to Julius Jones, James had just 46 carries for 125 yards and no scores. He averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.

James gained 17 yards at Dallas to pass Marcus Allen for 10th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaders list with 12,246 yards.

Seattle also released safety C.J. Wallace and cornerback Travis Fisher and signed receiver Mike Hass, safety Jamar Adams and cornerback Roy Lewis from the practice squad.

Goodell talks steroid policies with Congress

WASHINGTON — Arguing that sports leagues’ drug programs could be “gutted” if not protected from individual states’ laws, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asked Congress to intervene with legislation.

Goodell wants to change federal law to protect sports leagues’ collectively bargained steroid policies from state law challenges; DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, prefers to resolve the issue during labor talks.

The House subcommittee also heard from executives from Major League Baseball — supporting the NFL’s contention that legislation could help — and the baseball’s players union, backing its football counterpart in saying legislation is unnecessary.

PRO BASKETBALL

Cavs player indicted after September arrest

WASHINGTON — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West was indicted on additional weapons and traffic charges stemming from his Sept. 17 arrest for speeding on a motorcycle and carrying multiple weapons.

The eight-count indictment sheds no new light on why West, 26, was riding a motorcycle on the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County, Md., at 10 p.m. with two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun. Prosecutors added an 81⁄2-inch Bowie knife to the list of concealed weapons West was carrying.

West was indicted on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun, and one count each of reckless driving and negligent driving. The charges are all misdemeanors. Each weapons count carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

SOFTBALL

Missing college softball players found dead

DICKINSON, N.D. — The bodies of three missing North Dakota college softball players were found inside a Jeep after authorities, aided by signals from the women’s last desperate phone calls, spotted the vehicle submerged in a farm pond.

Police Lt. Rod Banyai said officers were investigating the cause of the deaths and autopsies were planned. He said he believed the women were on a stargazing trip in the Jeep when they called for help, but he did not know whether it already was under water when the calls were made.

Authorities had searched since late Sunday night for Kyrstin Gemar, 22, of San Diego; Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; and Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba.

BASEBALL

Rays trade Iwamura to Pirates for pitcher

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The budget-conscious Tampa Bay Rays saved some money and added some promising bullpen help Tuesday night when they traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Jesse Chavez.

The Rays held a $4.85 million option on Iwamura for next season, but did not intend to pick it up because of the depth they have at second base.

Iwamura hit .290 with one homer and 22 RBIs in 69 games during the final season of a $7.7 million, three-year contract he signed after playing for the Yakalt Swallows in Japan. He signed with the Rays as a free agent in December 2006.

Chavez led Pittsburgh and all major league rookies with 73 appearances in 2009, going 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 67 1-3 innings. He was taken in the 42nd round in 2002 by Texas, and made his major league debut with the Pirates with 15 appearances in 2008.