After making them wait almost a week, Antonio Pierce talked to investigators yesterday about the accidental shooting of New York Giants teammate Plaxico Burress.

What he said, much like many of the details of that night, remains a mystery.

Authorities provided no details of Pierce's meeting with police detectives and prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorney's office, and his attorney did not immediately return telephone calls left by The Associated Press.

Pierce practiced yesterday, then changed into a white sweatsuit and left Giants Stadium in a Jeep around 1:30 p.m.

Police initially said the doctor who treated Burress after he accidentally shot himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub was to meet with authorities Friday but instead she will do so next week.

The authorities are especially interested in why neither Pierce, who drove Burress to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, nor Dr. Josyann Abisaab called police to report the shooting. Abisaab has since been suspended for not reporting the gunshot injury, as required by law.

They also are trying to determine whether Pierce tried to cover up the shooting.

Pierce's attorney Michael Bachner told The Associated Press on Thursday that "he had no idea Plaxico had a weapon." But police say Pierce returned to New Jersey with Burress' gun in the glove compartment of his black Cadillac Escalade, and investigators have impounded the SUV to search it for any blood or gun residue.

Pierce refused to discuss the shooting with reporters on Thursday and was not made available yesterday.

He and the Giants (11-1) were focused instead on a chance to clinch the NFC East and gain a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) tomorrow.

"As far as preparation, it's been business as usual," punter Jeff Feagles said. "Nothing has changed as far as the guy's attitude. There's been a little more media attention, but other than that, nothing much has changed this week."

STEROIDS

JUDGE BLOCKS FIVE PLAYERS' SUSPENSIONS

A federal judge in St. Paul, Minn., yesterday blocked the NFL from suspending five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson said he needed more time to consider the case after hearing several hours of arguments from the league and the NFL Players Association.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints were suspended this week for four games each. They tested positive for a banned diuretic in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

The union argued the NFL didn't properly inform players about the substance. The NFL's attorneys argued that that claim, and others, had been considered and rejected in a process set out by the league's collective bargaining agreement.

ELSEWHERE

Jets: New York defensive end Shaun Ellis was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, speeding and driving without insurance after being pulled over by police last weekend. Ellis, the Jets' longest-tenured player, was stopped on Saturday in Hanover, N.J., a few miles from the team's training facility after speeding, according to the police report.

Seahawks: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and left tackle Walter Jones are doubtful for tomorrow's game against New England, and former Pro Bowl guard Mike Wahle went on injured reserve yesterday.

Bengals: Cincinnati put offensive lineman Kirk Barton on injured reserve yesterday and signed running back James Johnson from the practice squad.

Titans: The NFL suspended Tennessee reserve defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson for four games without pay starting yesterday for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. The league does not comment on the type of violation.

Vikings: Defensive end Brian Robison will miss the game tomorrow against Detroit after having arthroscopic knee surgery earlier in the week.

Dallas: The Cowboys activated running back Alonzo Coleman off their practice squad yesterday after Marion Barber missed his fourth consecutive practice with a dislocated right pinkie toe.