N.F.L. Roundup: Redskins Lose Two on Offense, One for the Year

That makes five starters lost to significant injuries over the last two weeks, coinciding with a two-game losing streak and a quarterback switch.

“We’ve got a lot of young players,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “We’re going to get a chance to see how much talent” the players have, “and how quickly they can improve. And, hopefully, it’s quick.”

Hightower is the team’s leading rusher. Moss is the top wideout. Both were hurt in Sunday’s 33-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

In other injury news:

¶ Quarterback Matthew Stafford is day to day after sustaining a right ankle injury in the final minutes of Detroit’s loss to Atlanta on Sunday. Coach Jim Schwartz hinted that the injury was not overly serious, saying that if tests had shown anything too significant, Stafford would be “more than day to day.”

¶ Oakland’s Darren McFadden, the N.F.L.’s leading rusher entering the weekend, sprained his right foot in a loss to Kansas City.

¶ The Denver Broncos’ leading rusher, Willis McGahee, is expected to have surgery this week for a broken finger on his right hand and will not play against Detroit on Sunday.

¶ St. Louis Rams Coach Steve Spagnuolo said that quarterback Sam Bradford remained in a walking boot and that he was not sure of his availability for Sunday against the Saints.

SUH SAYS INJURY WAS ‘KARMA’ Ndamukong Suh, a Detroit defensive lineman, said Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s brief injury was “karma” and hinted the Falcons had been guilty of dirty play.

Ryan tweaked a knee when offensive lineman Will Svitek stepped on his left ankle, but he came back and helped Atlanta beat the Lions, 23-16.

“To me, it’s karma for all the bad stuff they’ve done in the past,” Suh said. “Their offensive lineman hurt their own quarterback.”

Atlanta players told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Suh and his fellow defensive lineman Cliff Avril taunted Ryan while he was down.

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East Roundup: Paterno Ties Record as Penn State Defeats Northwestern

Silas Redd ran for 164 yards and a touchdown, Matt McGloin threw for 192 yards and 2 scores, and Penn State clamped down in the second half to give Paterno another milestone victory.

Paterno will try to move ahead of Robinson, of Grambling, for the Division I record next weekend when the Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) host Illinois. But he is still far behind John Gagliardi of St. John’s of Minnesota in Division III, who has 481 wins and counting.

Paterno, 84, is in his 46th season leading the Nittany Lions. In Evanston, Ill., on Saturday, he coached from the press box again. He is recovering from injuries to his right shoulder and pelvis sustained after a receiver ran into him in practice on Aug. 7.

Paterno had been feeling better and had been on the sideline for parts of some games, but on Oct. 8, during a 13-3 win over Iowa, two of his players pulled him back to avoid another collision.

That left him sore, he said, and he expressed concern that he might be a distraction to his players on the sideline.

Tying the record against Northwestern (2-5, 0-4) was fitting. When Paterno tied Bear Bryant with 323 wins, he did it against the Wildcats. No. 400 came at their expense, too, last season when Penn State rallied from 21 behind to win, 35-21.

This time, Penn State led, 27-24, at halftime, after Stephfon Green scored on a 1-yard run with six seconds left in the second quarter.

Redd made it a 10-point game early in the third when he ran it in from the 19 after Gerald Hodges returned an interception 63 yards.

VANDERBILT 44, ARMY 21 Zac Stacy set career highs with 198 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns, and quarterback Jordan Rodgers made the most of his first career start, as Vanderbilt (4-3) defeated Army (2-5). Rodgers, younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rushed for 96 yards and a score and passed for 186 yards and another touchdown.

BOWLING GREEN 13, TEMPLE 10 Matt Schilz threw a 24-yard pass to Shaun Joplin with 7 minutes 41 seconds left for Bowling Green (4-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference). Both of the game’s touchdowns came in the final quarter, as Bernard Pierce’s 2-yard scoring run gave Temple its only lead, 10-6, with 11:02 to play. For Temple (5-3, 3-2), two players rushed for more than 100 yards: Matt Brown with 119 and Pierce with 107.

DARTMOUTH 37, COLUMBIA 0 Nick Schwieger, the leading career rusher for the Big Green, carried 29 times for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns as Dartmouth (3-4, 2-2 Ivy League) routed visiting Columbia (0-6, 0-3).

BROWN 35, CORNELL 24 Kyle Newhall-Caballero threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as Brown (5-1, 2-1 Ivy League) won in Ithaca, N.Y. Jeff Mathews threw for 402 yards and 2 touchdowns for Cornell (2-4, 0-3).

HARVARD 56, PRINCETON 39 Collier Winters passed for 403 yards and 5 touchdowns and rushed for a score to lead Harvard (5-1, 3-0 Ivy League) in Cambridge, Mass. Princeton (1-5, 1-2) amassed 556 total yards, 4 yards less than Harvard.

PENN 37, YALE 25 Billy Ragone threw for three touchdowns and ran for one and Pennsylvania (4-2, 3-0 Ivy League) outscored visiting Yale (3-3, 2-1) by 27-5 in the fourth quarter. Brandon Colavita rushed for 156 yards on 18 carries for Penn.

LAFAYETTE 45, FORDHAM 24 Lafayette (3-4, 1-1 Patriot League) overcame a 413-yard passing performance by Ryan Higgins for visiting Fordham (1-6, 0-3).

RHODE ISLAND 38, DELAWARE 34 Behind Robert Bentsen’s three touchdown passes, Rhode Island (2-5, 1-3 Colonial Athletic Association) beat visiting Delaware (4-4, 2-3) for the first time since 2002.

ALBANY 63, CENTRAL CONN. 35 Dan Di Lella threw a team-record five touchdown passes for Albany (5-2, 4-0 Northeast Conference) in a rout at Central Connecticut State (2-6, 1-4).

IN OTHER GAMES Dontra Peters rushed for two touchdowns in a 27-21 victory for New Hampshire (5-2, 3-1 Colonial Athletic Association) over Massachusetts (4-3, 0-1) in Foxborough, Mass. ... Larry McCoy ran for three touchdowns as Duquesne (6-2, 4-1 Northeast Conference) beat visiting Wagner (1-6, 1-3), 37-21. ... Kyle Essington threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as visiting Stony Brook (4-3, 2-0 Big South Conference) defeated Virginia Military Academy (1-6, 1-2), 42-14.

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N.F.L. Roundup: Mara, Giants Co-Owner, to Head Powerful Management Council

The Giants co-owner John Mara was appointed chairman of the N.F.L. Management Council, the league’s most powerful committee, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday.

The latest news, notes and analysis of the N.F.L. playoffs.

Goodell said that Mara was replacing Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers’ owner, as leader of the Management Council, which is the main N.F.L. labor committee.

Goodell also said he had formed a committee on health and medical issues that would be led by the San Francisco 49ers’ owner, John York. Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys’ owner; Rich McKay, the Atlanta Falcons’ president; Mark Murphy, the Green Bay Packers’ president; and Mara will serve on that panel, called the Health and Safety Advisory Committee.

HARRISON TRADE VOIDED The backup running back Jerome Harrison is back with the Detroit Lions. His trade Tuesday to the Philadelphia Eagles was voided after a physical examination.

The Lions said only that Harrison, 28, had an illness. Lions Coach Jim Schwartz would not comment on specifics of the illness, calling it a privacy issue. He said Harrison was back on the team’s 53-man roster.

The Lions’ leading rusher, Jahvid Best, sustained his third concussion Sunday. Maurice Morris, who has 9 carries for 20 yards this season, will probably start Sunday against Atlanta.

CONCUSSION MAY BENCH FUJITA Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita is unlikely to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks after being sent home before practice for the second straight day with postconcussion symptoms.

SAINTS TIGHT END IS AILING Tight end Jimmy Graham, who leads the New Orleans Saints in receiving, missed practice Thursday with a sore right ankle, Coach Sean Payton said.

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N.F.L. Roundup: Carson Palmer Gets Going With Raiders

But the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, Al Saunders, went on a Kansas City radio show Wednesday morning and said that Palmer would be his starting quarterback Sunday against the Chiefs “as long as he’s breathing.”

Palmer, 31, was breathing — hard — during his first post-practice media session Wednesday. In the span of about six minutes he admitted to rust, unfamiliarity with his receivers, unfamiliarity with the playbook, unfamiliarity with Oakland in general, a lack of game-ready football preparation and, most important, a dearth of time to get up to speed — whether or not he’s playing.

Palmer shook hands in the huddle as he introduced himself to his teammates and by his own estimation he still had not met more than 30 percent of the roster.

One thing working in his favor is a coach who knows him. Jackson recruited Palmer as an assistant at U.S.C., and, as the Bengals’ receivers coach, worked with him from 2004 to ’06.

SAMPLE-COLLECTION STALEMATE Nearly two months after it had hoped to start blood testing for human growth hormone, and several days after two congressmen announced there was a deal to begin collecting blood samples immediately, the N.F.L. and its players union remained at a standstill over the program Wednesday.

This week, the N.F.L. sent a letter to the union saying it was prepared to start collecting blood Monday that would be held until the final details of a testing plan were worked out. The union’s response was: No, not yet.

“We informed the N.F.L. yesterday that absent a collective agreement on several critical issues, blood collection is not ready to be implemented on Monday,” the union said in a statement Wednesday.

Adolpho Birch, the league executive who oversees the drug testing program, said, “It’s directly counter to what everyone in that room Friday heard.”

If the stalemate continues, the sides may have to again meet with members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Last Friday, Representatives Darrell Issa, Republican of California, and Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland, told representatives of the union and the league that if blood collection had not begun within two weeks, they would be called back for a meeting that, the congressmen told them “would not be pretty,” according to two people who were present.

The proposal to begin the collection of blood —  but not to test it —  was the idea of Issa and Cummings. According to people present at the meeting, Issa went around the table asking if everybody agreed to that idea and everyone — including representatives from the union, which did not include the executive director DeMaurice Smith — did. When Issa said that he and Cummings were going to tell reporters that a deal had been reached to collect blood samples, nobody objected.

George Atallah, the union spokesman, said that the union perceived the N.F.L.’s letter as an announcement that it planned to impose testing, which prompted the union’s response. Birch said the league would not attempt to begin blood collection next week unless the union agreed.   JUDY BATTISTA

BRADFORD SITS OUT The newly acquired Brandon Lloyd looked good in his first practice with the St. Louis Rams. Mark Clayton’s back, too. Now they just need someone to get them the ball. Quarterback Sam Bradford did not practice Wednesday while getting treatment for a high left ankle sprain, increasing the likelihood the journeyman A. J. Feeley will get the call Sunday at Dallas. (AP)

TEBOW HELPING DOLPHINS Tim Tebow is giving the winless Miami Dolphins a welcome boost in ticket sales. Tebow will make his first start of the season Sunday when the Denver Broncos play at Miami, and the Dolphins’ chief executive, Mike Dee, said he was optimistic the game would be a sellout. More than 10,000 tickets have been sold since Tebow was promoted to the starting job last week, Dee said. (AP)

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS Houston quarterback Matt Schaub’s bruised chest won’t keep him out this week, but it’s likely that Andre Johnson will miss his third straight game since minor surgery to his right hamstring. (AP)

OWENS HEALTHY AGAIN Terrell Owens is ready to return to the N.F.L. Owens has been rehabilitating a left knee injury that required surgery. He is a free agent and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says he will begin contacting teams immediately to let them know Owens is healthy. (AP)

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N.F.L. Roundup: Raiders Looking for Help at Quarterback

“If you’re a quarterback out there and you want to come play for the Raiders, give us a call,” Jackson said Monday.

The Raiders have lost Campbell for a significant period of time after he landed on his shoulder at the end of a scramble late in the first half against Cleveland on Sunday.

Campbell hopes to play down the stretch for the Raiders, but Oakland needs help now with Boller and the rookie Terrelle Pryor the only quarterbacks on the roster.

The Raiders have looked into possible trades and free-agent signings, although one option was eliminated Monday. Oakland contacted the former Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard, but Garrard’s agent confirmed a Fox Sports report that Garrard will need back surgery and would not be available for four to six weeks.

Other free-agent possibilities include Trent Edwards, who was in Oakland’s camp this summer; Charlie Frye, who spent the past two seasons with the Raiders; and the former Baltimore quarterbacks Troy Smith and Todd Bouman, who have worked with Jackson on the Ravens. Oakland also could look into making a trade for Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer or Denver’s Kyle Orton before Tuesday’s deadline.

INJURY UPDATES It was a rough weekend for quarterbacks — and coaches.

Sam Bradford of St. Louis is questionable with a high left ankle sprain, and Matt Schaub of Houston has a chest bruise but is not likely to miss Sunday’s game against Tennessee.

New Orleans Coach Sean Payton had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and a fractured bone in his left leg, a day after one of his players was tackled into him on the sideline. And the Tampa Bay defensive backs coach, Jimmy Lake, injured his left knee celebrating Tanard Jackson’s interception during the Buccaneers’ win over Payton’s Saints.

Bradford is in a walking boot, and A. J. Feeley is likely to take most of the snaps when the winless Rams resume practice. Bradford’s status for Sunday’s game at Dallas is in question.

Schaub had a magnetic resonance imaging test, and Texans Coach Gary Kubiak said his quarterback was “just beat up.”

Payton has said he expects to call plays from the booth when the Saints host Indianapolis on Sunday night.

Also:

¶ Detroit Coach Jim Schwartz said running back Jahvid Best started showing concussionlike symptoms after a loss to San Francisco.

¶ Dallas running back Felix Jones has a high ankle sprain, and left guard Bill Nagy has a broken ankle and is likely out for the season.

¶ Washington left guard Kory Lichtensteiger is out for the year with torn ligaments in his right knee. Coach Mike Shanahan also indicated that tight end Chris Cooley’s season might be over after he broke the left index finger in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia. Left tackle Trent Williams is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a severely sprained right ankle.

GRUDEN STAYING PUT Jon Gruden agreed to a new contract with ESPN that is could to keep him in television — and out of coaching — for the next five years.

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Roundup: Cowboys Test Brady, but He Has an Answer

Against Tom Brady, that was a risky strategy, and it cost the Cowboys a victory.

The Cowboys went conservative on their final possession, running the ball three straight times to wind down the clock before punting the ball back to New England. Brady got the ball with 80 yards to go and 2 minutes 31 seconds left, and he swiftly moved the Patriots downfield for the winning touchdown and a 20-16 victory.

“We are up here on their field and we knew what the odds were, so we flipped a coin and it came up against us,” the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.

After Dan Bailey kicked a 26-yard field goal to break a 13-13 tie with 5:13 left, Dallas forced Brady and New England (5-1) to go three-and-out. Getting the ball back at their 28 with 3:36 left, the Cowboys (2-3) had three rushing plays and a false start before punting the ball back.

That gave Brady one more chance, and he delivered — hitting Aaron Hernandez in the middle of the end zone from 8 yards.

Dallas, coming off a bye week, made things hard on Brady, sacking him three times and intercepting two of his passes. But on the final 80-yard drive, Brady completed eight of nine passes for 78 yards.

Packers Stay Unbeaten

The Packers beat the visiting Rams, 24-3, and at 6-0 became the last remaining unbeaten team in the league. But that did not mean they were happy. “It’s a feeling of minor disappointment, I think, in that locker room,” said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who passed for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. Packers Coach Mike McCarthy had a mixed reaction to the victory. He bristled at questions about the offense being shut out in the second half — “the last time I checked, when you win by three touchdowns, that’s a pretty significant win” — but acknowledged that the team wasn’t anywhere near where it wants to be.

¶ Using four interceptions from their defense and the strong running of LeSean McCoy, the visiting Eagles beat the Redskins, 20-13, to buoy their hopes in the increasingly wide open N.F.C. East. The Eagles (2-4) raced to a 20-0 second-quarter lead and picked off Rex Grossman four times, prompting Washington Coach Mike Shanahan to answer the fans’ chants of “We want Beck!” by giving John Beck his first regular-season appearance since 2007. Beck got the Redskins (3-2) back into the game with a 2-yard quarterback draw to cap an 80-yard drive that pulled Washington to 7 points behind with 2 minutes 44 seconds remaining. But the Eagles ran out the clock with the tail end of a 28-carry, 126-yard day from McCoy.

Steelers and Ravens Win

Host Pittsburgh narrowly avoided a stunning collapse in a second straight win that hardly felt like one, but the Steelers held on to beat the Jaguars, 17-13. Pittsburgh (4-2) managed only 70 yards in the second half and let the Jaguars (1-5) hang around until the final play. Making matters worse, the Steelers removed the All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu from the game in the fourth quarter after he had what Coach Mike Tomlin called “concussionlike symptoms.”

¶ Joe Flacco passed for 305 yards and ran for a score, Billy Cundiff kicked five field goals, and the host Ravens pulled away to a 29-14 victory over the Texans. Baltimore (4-1) held Houston (3-3) scoreless over the final 21 minutes and limited running back Arian Foster to 49 yards on 15 attempts.

¶ Cornerback Nate Clements blocked a late field-goal attempt that would have tied the score, and Carlos Dunlap returned a fumble 35 yards for the clinching score with 2:22 to go, giving the Bengals a 27-17 win over the Colts and sending Indianapolis (0-6) into another week of wondering when it is going to win. The Bengals (4-2) matched their win total from last season.

Tribute to Raiders’ Davis

Jacoby Ford returned a kickoff 101 yards and Kevin Boss caught a 35-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal to lead the Raiders to a 24-17 victory over the Browns in their first home game since the death of their longtime owner Al Davis. It was an emotional day, with many old-time Raiders coming back to honor Davis, who died Oct. 8 at 82. The most poignant moment came during a halftime ceremony with dozens of former players standing in a circle around the Raiders emblem at midfield as the former coach John Madden lighted a caldron in a corner of the stadium.

In Other Games

Josh Freeman passed for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns, Earnest Graham rushed for 109 yards in place of the injured starter LeGarrette Blount, and the Buccaneers outlasted the visiting Saints, 26-20. The win pulled the Bucs (4-2) into a first-place tie with the Saints in the N.F.C. South. Drew Brees became the first passer to have four consecutive 350-yard games, but he also threw three interceptions.

¶ Devin Hester had a 48-yard touchdown catch and scored on a career-best 98-yard kickoff return before leaving with a chest injury, and the Bears routed the visiting Vikings, 39-10. Minnesota (1-5) benched quarterback Donovan McNabb in the fourth quarter, sending in Christian Ponder to mop up.

¶ Michael Turner ran for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns, Matt Ryan scored the tie-breaking touchdown with seven minutes remaining, and Corey Peters came up with a huge interception that helped the Falcons seal a 31-17 victory over the Panthers in Atlanta. Led by Turner, the Falcons (3-3) ran the ball 35 times — 13 more than they threw it. The Panthers rookie Cam Newton threw for 237 yards and scored on a 14-yard touchdown run that put the Panthers (1-5) ahead, 17-14, heading to the fourth quarter. But after Matt Bryant’s tying field goal and Ryan’s 1-yard sneak, Newton threw a screen pass right to Peters, a 305-pound defensive tackle who had dropped into coverage. The Falcons’ offense did the rest, driving 39 yards for the clinching touchdown.

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N.F.L. Roundup: N.F.L. Representatives to Meet With Congress on Blood Testing

In addition to Goodell, the league’s top lawyer, Jeffrey Pash, and Adolpho Birch, who oversees its drug testing program, are expected to attend the meeting. DeMaurice Smith is not expected to attend because, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was told, he is traveling overseas.

The union will be represented by, among others, the Ravens’ Domonique Foxworth, who was a key player in the labor negotiations. But according to a person briefed on the committee’s thinking, they are disappointed that Smith is not available. Also expected to attend are members of the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

The purpose of the meeting is to allow both sides to explain their positions on testing to Representatives Darrell Issa, a Republican from California and the committee chairman, and Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, the committee’s ranking Democrat. And the committee members are likely to ask the union what specific questions the union wants answered to allow testing, or if there are other issues making the players reluctant.

While the parties agreed to start testing for human growth hormone as part of the collective bargaining agreement completed in August, testing has not begun because the union says it needs more information about the blood tests used by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Those tests, which are used on Olympics athletes, among others, determine the ratio of human growth hormone in the blood and compare it with the naturally occurring ratio. The union spokesman George Atallah said the union’s primary concern was how WADA established the baseline ratio for its tests and whether the ratio was appropriate to use for N.F.L. players.

WADA officials have said the ratio remains the same in nearly every person it has studied. The union says it wants WADA to turn over the population study that led to the establishment of the threshold ratio; WADA has declined, saying that plenty of information about how the test works is available and that it fears the release of more sensitive information could help athletes figure out how to cheat.

Atallah said he remained confident that there would be H.G.H. testing in the N.F.L. “soonish” and that he could imagine a separate population study on N.F.L. players being conducted. But he said the union had not had formal discussions with the league about creating such a population study.

HAPPY WITH FINE Saints safety Roman Harper was fined $15,000 by the league for a late hit on Panthers receiver Steve Smith. Smith slowed and celebrated before crossing the goal line Sunday. Harper said the fine was worth it to make a point to his teammates and Smith. (AP)

MENDENHALL RETURNING Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall will start on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing a game because of a hamstring injury.Mendenhall, who had 1,273 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last season, was a full participant in practice for Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Thursday. (AP)

TO TEBOW’S DEFENSE Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore has a message for all those who think quarterback Tim Tebow is not ready for the N.F.L.: maybe the N.F.L. isn’t ready for Tebow. “They drafted him here for a reason — to win games. And he’s going to make it happen, trust me,” Moore said. “People who dislike him, people who don’t think he’s the man, that he can’t do it, he is going to prove them wrong. He’s going to lead us to the promised land.” After a bye this Sunday, the Broncos play next on Oct. 23 against the Dolphins in Miami. Tebow, who replaced Kyle Orton at halftime last Sunday in a losing effort against the San Diego Chargers, will take over the starting role for Denverer. (AP)

OUT OF HIS BOOT On Monday of last week, Nick Barnett was wobbling around the Buffalo Bills’ facility with his right foot in protective boot. By Sunday, the boot was off and Barnett was playing a key role in helping Buffalo (4-1) continue its surprising start, with two interceptions in a 31-24 victory over Philadelphia. “To go out and do what he did for us on Sunday is amazing,” fellow linebacker Shawne Merriman said. (AP)

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Injury roundup: Rams lose Bradford, Jackson

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Week 1 injury roundup, Andy Dalton, Brian Price, Danny Amendola, Daryl Washington, Derrick Ward, Eric Berry, Ernie Sims, Gary Brackett, James Harrison, Jason Smith, Jimmy Smith, Jon Beason, Kevin Walter, Lance Lewis, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Luis Castillo, Marcedes Lewis, Marvin Lewis, Michael Crabtree, Michael Robinson, Mike Tolbert, Mike Tomlin, Nate Kaeding, Ron Bartell, Roy Williams, Sam Bradford, Sammie Stroughter, Steven Jackson, Terrence McGee, Week 1 injuries 2011

With Week 1 nearly in the books, here’s a look at the notable injuries from Sunday’s games:

The Rams’ loss to the Eagles was compounded by a number of injuries. The team announced X-rays on QB Sam Bradford’s injured right finger were negative, but he could have suffered nerve damage. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said WR Danny Amendola (dislocated left elbow) will have an MRI exam, RT Jason Smith sustained a high ankle sprain, and more would be known about RB Steven Jackson (quad) on Monday. The stinger that sidelined CB Ron Bartell isn’t considered serious.The shoulder injury that sidelined Texans WR Kevin Walter turned out to be an injury that NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports will keep him out 10-12 weeks. Derrick Ward also left Sunday’s game with a right ankle injury.In what looks to be a huge blow for the Panthers, LB Jon Beason exited Sunday’s game in Arizona with an ankle injury. NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported early Monday that the team fears a torn Achilles for Beason, citing a league source. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Beason will undergo an MRI exam Monday and called the injury “dire.”Bengals QB Andy Dalton said “the plan is to play” next week after he missed the second half Sunday with a wrist injury. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said initial tests on Dalton’s wrist were negative.The Bears lost two starters on offense, as WR Roy Williams (groin) and RG Lance Lewis (ankle) couldn’t finish against the Falcons.Two Colts linebackers — Gary Brackett (sprained shoulder) and Ernie Sims (sprained knee) — were sidelined against the Texans.Buccaneers DT Brian Price didn’t return against the Lions after suffering a hamstring injury during the third quarter. WR Sammie Stroughter also left during the first quarter with a left foot injury, and according to the St. Petersburg Times, left the stadium in a walking boot.Ravens rookie CB Jimmy Smith injured his ankle during the first quarter and did not return.Seahawks FB Michael Robinson suffered a left ankle injury against the 49ers, an injury La Canfora reports is a high sprain and could keep him out eight weeks.Cardinals RB LaRod Stephens-Howling sustained a right hand contusion against the Panthers. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Stephens-Howling seemed OK, but more would be known on Monday, and added that LB Daryl Washington suffered a calf strain.49ers WR Michael Crabtree missed most of the second half against the Seahawks because of a sore foot, according to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, but X-rays on his foot after the game came back negative.

– Frank Tadych

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Injury roundup: Tolbert avoids serious injury

Published: December 26th, 2010 | Tags: Anthony Fasano, Arrelious Benn, Calvin Johnson, Carlos Rogers, Champ Bailey, Chris Houston, David Nelson, Dennis Pitta, Earnest Graham, James Ihedigbo, Keaston Kristick, Knowshon Moreno, Lee Robinson, Lydon Murtha, Matt Hasselbeck, Mike Tolbert, Morgan Cox, Nolan Carroll, Phillip Adams, Tavares Gooden, Week 16 injuries 2010, Zach Miller

With Sunday’s Week 16 games in the books, here’s a look at the notable injuries around the league:

It was a scary scene in Cincinnati when Chargers RB Mike Tolbert was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury. NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported initial tests done on Tolbert were negative, and he avoided serious injury.Buccaneers rookie WR Arrelious Benn (knee) and RB Earnest Graham (neck) didn’t return after suffering injuries against the Seahawks.The Broncos played much of Sunday’s game against the Texans without CB Champ Bailey (ankle) and RB Knowshon Moreno (ribs). Backup LB Lee Robinson also left the game late with a hamstring injury.Ravens HC John Harbaugh said LB Tavares Gooden (dislocated shoulder) and LS Morgan Cox (knee) sustained injuries against the Browns. According to the team’s official site, TE Dennis Pitta (concussion) was also injured. Harbaugh indicated Cox could have “serious” knee damage, which he believes is a torn ligament. There was no mention of WR Derrick Mason, who limped off the field during the fourth quarter.The Dolphins lost TE Anthony Fasano (knee) and RT Lydon Murtha (head) against the Lions. The Associated Press also reported reserve CB Nolan Carroll left the game in the first half with a concussion.Lions HC Jim Schwartz said WR Calvin Johnson will be day to day after re-aggravating his ankle injury and sitting out the fourth quarter Sunday, while CB Chris Houston didn’t return after injuring his shoulder.The Redskins lost CB Carlos Rogers to a calf injury. Rogers told The Washington Post he hopes to play in the season finale against the Giants.Bills HC Chan Gailey told reporters TE David Nelson won’t play in the season finale next week due to the rib injury he suffered against the Patriots.Jaguars reserve TE Zach Miller didn’t return after suffering a concussion in the first quarter against the Redskins.49ers backup CB Phillip Adams was carted off with a broken left ankle against the Rams. Matt Maiocco reported rookie LB Keaton Kristick sustained a concussion.Jets HC Rex Ryan said backup SS James Ihedigbo will likely sit out next week against the Bills after sustaining a knee injury against the Bears.Posted in: News  

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Injury roundup: Titans’ V.Y. hurts thumb, loses job

Published: November 21st, 2010 | | Tags: Anderson Russell, Anthony Herrera, Anthony Smith, Atari Bigby, Austin Collie, Brandon Albert, Casey Rabach, Chad Simpson, Chan Gailey, Chris Crocker, Chris Kemoeatu, Clinton Portis, Colt McCoy, Damien Woody, Derrick Dockery, Early Doucet, Eric Wood, Eric Wright, Jason Jones, Jeff Fisher, Lorenzo Alexander, Marcus Trufant, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Williams, Pete Carroll, Rocky McIntosh, Rodger Saffold, Roy Williams, Todd Haley, Tony Scheffler, Trevor Scott, Vance Walker, Vernon Davis, Vince Young, Week 11 injuries 2010

A bullet-look at the most notable injuries from around the league in Week 11:

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said the injured tendon on the right (throwing) thumb of QB Vince Young could require surgery, which would end his season.Bengals starting safeties Roy Williams (concussion) and Chris Crocker (right knee) didn’t return against the Bills.Titans DT Jason Jones didn’t return after injuring his right knee on the opening series against the Redskins.Browns QB Colt McCoy, who was sacked six times and played the second half against the Jaguars with a sprained left ankle, was wearing a walking boot following Sunday’s game. According to multiple reports, X-rays on the injury were negative. Coach Eric Mangini said CB Eric Wright, who didn’t return following a left knee injury during the first quarter, could have returned in an emergency.The Jets lost RT Damien Woody to a right knee injury. Rex Ryan had no update on his status, but Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News reports Woody suffered an MCL injury and will be examined further Monday.The Redskins lost a slew of players to injuries during the first half against the Titans: RB Clinton Portis (groin), C Casey Rabach (knee), OG Derrick Dockery (left knee), SS Anderson Russell (knee), OLB Lorenzo Alexander (hamstring) and ILB Rocky McIntosh (groin). Before the game even started, RB Chad Simpson suffered a foot injury during warm-ups and didn’t play.Lions TE Tony Scheffler suffered a rib injury against the Cowboys.Cardinals WR Early Doucet suffered a concussion on a hit during the second quarter against the Chiefs, according to coach Todd Haley.Raiders DE Trevor Scott suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, according to The Associated Press.The Packers lost backup safeties Anthony Smith (ankle) and Atargi Bigby (hamstring) to injuries.Bills RG Eric Wood didn’t return after suffering a knee injury against the Bengals, but it’s not considered serious, according to coach Chan Gailey.The Vikings lost starting RG Anthony Herrera injured his left knee and could be done for the season, according to coach Brad Childress.49ers TE Vernon Davis didn’t return against the Bucs after suffering an ankle injury.The Colts held out WR Austin Collie after he took several hard hits against the Patriots.Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the team’s only injury concern is RT Rodger Saffold, who “dinged” his shoulder and will undergo an MRI exam on Sunday night.Falcons backup DT Vance Walker suffered a right knee injury during the third quarter against the Rams.Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said WR Mike Williams suffered a sprained foot, while CB Marcus Trufant sustained a concussion against the Saints. Neither player returned.Posted in: News  

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Injury roundup: Browns lose Cribbs

Published: November 14th, 2010 | | Tags: Adam Snyder, Bernard Berrian, C.J. Spiller, Chad Henne, Chad Pennington, Chan Gailey, Dwight Lowery, Jake Long, Jerricho Cotchery, Joe Nedney, Joe Staley, John Sullivan, Joshua Cribbs, Kerry Collins, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Slauson, Mike Jenkins, Mike Nugent, Percy Harvin, Ramses Barden, Rodger Saffold, Scott Fujita, Sheldon Brown, Spencer Johnson, Tyler Thigpen, Week 10 injuries 2010, William James

It was a rough day on the injury front for the Browns, who lost WR Joshua Cribbs (foot), CB Sheldon Brown (shoulder) and LB Scott Fujita (knee) in the overtime loss to the Jets. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Cribbs dislocated four toes on his right foot.Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery suffered a groin injury late against the Browns and wasn’t able to finish the game. According to several reports, Cotchery appeared worried about the injury after the game and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday. The Jets also lost LG Matt Slauson (knee) and DB Dwight Lowery (head).Vikings WR Percy Harvin (left ankle) and C John Sullivan (calf) were sidelined against Bears and didn’t return. Bernard Berrian was active but was a late scratch due to a groin injury.Injuries to starter Chad Pennington (right shoulder) and former starter Chad Henne (left knee) forced the Dolphins to finish with third-stringer Tyler Thigpen. Coach Tony Sparano didn’t have an update on their status, and Albert Breer reports Henne will undergo an MRI exam tonight. NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi reported it’s Thigpen who will likely start against the Bears Thursday night. The Miami Herald also reported LT Jake Long suffered a dislocated shoulder.The Bills lost rookie RB C.J. Spiller to a hamstring injury. Coach Chan Gailey all but ruled Spiller out for next week, and he’s considered to be out indefinitely. Bills DE Spencer Johnson also injured a hamstring.Bengals K Mike Nugent suffered what is being reported as a severe knee injury during an onside kick late against the Colts. “It doesn’t look good,” Nugent told Bengals.com.Titans QB Kerry Collins suffered a calf injury at the end of the first half against the Dolphins and didn’t return.Matt Hasselbeck suffered a broken bone in his left wrist but was able to finish the game against the Cardinals. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the injury “looks to be manageable.”The Giants lost WR Ramses Barden to a left ankle injury. Barden was on crutches after the game, according to the NY Daily News, and thinks he could miss 1-2 weeks.Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins didn’t return against the Giants after leaving during the second quarter with a neck injury. Fellow CB Terence Newman suffered a left ankle injury but was able to return.The Rams lost starting LT Rodger Saffold to a right ankle injury.The 49ers were another team hit hard by injuries, as LT Joe Staley (fractured left fibula), OL Adam Snyder (right shoulder sprain) and CB William James (concussion) left against the Rams and didn’t return. Kicker Joe Nedney suffered a right knee strain but stayed in the game.Cardinals returner LaRod Stephens-Howling played sparingly after injuring a hamstring during the first half against the Seahawks.Posted in: News  

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Injury roundup: Stafford’s shoulder an issue again

Published: November 7th, 2010 | | Tags: Matt Moore, David Diehl, Bill Belichick, Roscoe Parrish, Sean Payton, Jonathan Stewart, Lovie Smith, Jeremy Shockey, Dan Connor, Andy Reid, Julius Peppers, Roddy White, Max Jean-Gilles, Jason Hanson, Jim Schwartz, Darren Sharper, Austin Collie, Darnell Dockett, Matthew Stafford, Malcolm Jenkins, Kerry Rhodes, Cliff Avril, Tyrone Culver, Kenny Iwebema, Todd McClure, Steve Gregory, Ryan Mathews, Rolando McClain, Nate Allen, Chris Ivory, Week 9 injuries 2010, Steven Gostkowski, Tyvon Branch, Tyrell Sutton, Adam Koets

A quick recap at some of the notable injuries around the league in Week 9:

Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said QB Matthew Stafford was “very sore” after injuring his right shoulder in overtime against the Jets, but had no other update on the severity of the injury. Stafford missed five games this season after separating the same shoulder. The Lions also lost K Jason Hanson (right knee) and DE Cliff Avril (leg) to injuries.The Panthers had a host of serious injuries, as QB Matt Moore (shoulder), RB Jonathan Stewart (head), MLB Dan Connor (hip) and RB Tyrell Sutton (ankle) left and were unable to return against the Saints.Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett was sidelined during the second half against the Vikings with what the Arizona Republic later reported as a shoulder “stringer.” Dockett did return. The Cardinals lost DE Kenny Iwebema to a right knee injury, and FS Kerry Rhodes reportedly re-aggravated a left hand injury. Rhodes was also able to return.Falcons WR Roddy White suffered a right knee injury during the first quarter against the Bucs, but was able to return during the second half wearing a knee brace. Falcons starting C Todd McClure also left with a knee injury but also returned.The Saints lost TE Jeremy Shockey (ribs), FS Darren Sharper (hamstring) and RB Chris Ivory (shoulder) against the Panthers. Saints coach Sean Payton didn’t have any updates following the game, but did say Shockey was taken to the hospital as a “precautionary measure”  and X-rays were negative. The Times Picayune also reported S Malcolm Jenkins suffered a shoulder stinger but expects to be fine.Dolphins S Tyrone Culver left with an ankle injury against the Ravens and didn’t return.The Chargers lost RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) and SS Steve Gregory (shoulder) against the Texans.Patriots K Steven Gostkowski was sidelined by a thigh injury against the Browns. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Gostkowski would be re-evaluated on Monday.Bears coach Lovie Smith said DE Julius Peppers, who left the field with an injury late during the fourth quarter, was expected to be fine, per The Associated Press.Bills WR Rosoe Parrish suffered a wrist injury against the Bears and told The AP he would undergo tests on Monday.Two starting linemen for the Giants — LT David Diehl and C Adam Koets – left with injuries. Koets suffered a sprained left knee during the fourth quarter, while Diehl left with a hip injury during the third quarter. Neither returned. The Giants said X-rays on Diehl were negative.Eagles RG Max Jean-Gilles (concussion) and FS Nate Allen (neck/back) suffered injuries against the Colts and didn’t return. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Allen suffered a neck strain and will have an MRI exam on Monday.The Colts announced WR Austin Collie suffered a concussion as the result of a violent hit during the against the Eagles.The Raiders played the second half and overtime against the Chiefs without MLB Rolando McClain (hip) and SS Tyvon Branch (concussion).Posted in: News  

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