Quarterbacks Kevin Kolb(notes) of the Arizona Cardinals and Matt Moore(notes) of the Miami Dolphins left their games Sunday with head injuries.
Kolb left the 21-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third play. He was in his second start after missing four games with right turf toe and a bruise on the side of that foot.
Kolb was hurt when Justin Smith(notes) hit him as he threw. John Skelton(notes) stepped in to pass for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
Moore’s status was uncertain after was hit from behind as he threw an incomplete pass late in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was slow to rise, but eventually walked off the field and was replaced by J.P. Losman(notes) in a 26-10 loss.
Losman said he was unsure who would start Sunday’s game at Buffalo, but he said Moore didn’t appear seriously hurt.
Miami Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jake Long(notes) left the game with a back injury in the first quarter and didn’t return. The Dolphins gave up nine sacks, tying a franchise record.
Long’s status was also uncertain. He has started every game in his four-year career.
Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes) hurt his left leg early in the second quarter of Tennessee’s 22-17 loss to New Orleans.
He managed to return for one play after rookie Jake Locker(notes) had the wind knocked out of him. The veteran completed a pass, then hopped gingerly back to the sideline.
Hasselbeck said he figured he was a better option under center than tight end Daniel Graham(notes). And Hasselbeck was very happy with what he thought was a strained left calf rather than an Achilles tendon injury he originally feared after feeling something pop in his leg.
He was hurt when Saints tackle Shaun Rogers(notes) tipped his pass into the air. Hasselbeck ran up toward the line after the ball, then came up hopping without putting his foot down. Hasselbeck sat down on the field, where he was tended by a doctor and team trainers, before slowly walking to the sideline.
Locker replaced him and threw for 282 yards before being sacked on the final play to end a comeback attempt.
New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham(notes) also played hurt after injuring his back in pregame warmups. John Gilmore(notes) started at tight end for the Saints, but Graham caught five passes for 55 yards.
Graham said he caught a ball awkwardly during pregame routes but never thought about not playing, even though Saints coach Sean Payton kept asking if he was too hurt.
The Jets and Chiefs each lost starting safeties in their game: New York’s Jim Leonhard(notes) and Kansas City’s Jon McGraw(notes).
Leonhard was scheduled to have an MRI exam on his right knee Monday to determine the severity of the injury after being hurt making an interception in the second quarter of the Jets’ 37-10 victory. Several teammates feared it could be a season-ending injury.
Leonhard was hurt when he intercepted a pass by Tyler Palko(notes) intended for Steve Breaston(notes) and the Chiefs wide receiver made a twisting tackle. Leonhard immediately reached for his leg in pain before being helped to the sideline by two trainers and carted into the locker room.
NFL: Giants, Cowboys look to avoid collapses
NFL: Raiders next on Packers' road to 16-0
Copyright © 2011 STATS LLC. All Rights Reserved.
