Injuries: Colts lose Harrison, Addai; Bucs' Williams hurt
01.10.2007 06:00
Sport and Travel
- Source: USA Today
The Indianapolis Colts won with a few of their biggest playmakers on the sidelines.
Eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison bruised a knee and running back Joseph Addai injured a shoulder during the Colts' 38-20 victory over Denver on Sunday, a big day for injuries among big-name players in the NFL. Among those also injured were: San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith (separated shoulder), Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (knee), Oakland running back LaMont Jordan (back), Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu (abdomen) and St. Louis wide receiver Isaac Bruce (hamstring). At Indianapolis, Harrison was hurt when two players ran into him while he was blocking for Addai late in the first quarter. Harrison limped off the field, missed one play, then caught his first pass. He remained on the field for the final four plays of Indy's first touchdown drive. After coming off following the drive, he consulted with team doctors and went to the locker room. Addai, who had 136 yards on 19 carries, didn't play after hurting his shoulder in the second half. He was replaced by Kenton Keith, who had 80 yards on 10 carries. Colts linebacker Rob Morris, who missed the last two games with an abdominal strain, was carted off the field after injuring his left knee. Denver tight end Daniel Graham was blocking him on a running play when Morris crumpled to the ground, took off his helmet and put his hands on his face before being helped onto a golf cart and taken off the field. Colts Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders missed most of the second half with a rib injury. Denver was without receiver Javon Walker, who didn't play because of swelling in his right knee. Safeties John Lynch (groin) and Hamza Abdullah (hip), and running back Mike Bell (concussion) were also inactive. At San Francisco, Smith was driven hard to the ground on a sack by Seattle's Rocky Bernard on the 49ers' first drive and didn't return. "It's frustrating," Smith said. "I came out here to win the game. I prepared all week and I couldn't be out there." Coach Mike Nolan said it was unlikely he would be able to play next week against Baltimore. Smith was expected to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the degree of separation in the shoulder. Smith was replaced by Trent Dilfer, who went 13-of-33 for 128 yards and two interceptions. "It's hard," Dilfer said. "It's like seeing your little brother go down. I feel badly for him. But at the same time, there's really no time for sympathy in this league." In Charlotte, Williams was carted off the field late in the first quarter after he took a hit from safety Chris Harris following an 18-yard gain. The blow forced Williams backward as his right leg bent under him awkwardly, and Williams immediately clutched the knee as he lay on the ground after the play. "He will be missed," quarterback Jeff Garcia said. "But like Coach said, we need to find a way to regroup and move on. He'll be with us in spirit and support. We'll be supporting him through this rehab process." Left tackle Luke Petitgout limped off early in the second quarter after defensive tackle Kris Jenkins fell into his leg at the line. He missed the rest of the game, and coach Jon Gruden said he didn't know the severity of the injuries. At Miami, Jordan was hurt when he was tackled following a 7-yard reception shortly before halftime of Oakland's 35-17 win. He was helped off the field, then went to the locker room sitting up on a cart. Bruce strained his left hamstring, and the Rams also lost linebacker Raonall Smith, defensive end Leonard Little and offensive guard Adam Goldberg to sprained knees in their 35-7 loss at Dallas. Starting safety Corey Chavous left in the fourth quarter with a strained left pectoral muscle. Arizona's Anquan Boldin (hip) and Pittsburgh's Hines Ward (knee) were inactive with injuries, and the Steelers lost defensive starters Troy Polamalu (abdomen) and Casey Hampton (hamstring) early in the third quarter of the Cardinals' 21-14 victory. Philadelphia played the New York Giants without halfback Brian Westbrook, who was sidelined with a pulled abdominal muscle and did not practice this week. Offensive tackle William Thomas, cornerback Lito Sheppard and safety Brian Dawkins were also inactive. Buffalo, ravaged by injuries this season, had three more in its 17-14 win over the New York Jets. Cornerback Ashton Youboty's status is uncertain after he twisted his ankle, linebacker Kevin Harrison limped off with an undisclosed knee injury and free safety Jim Leonhard injured a calf. Other players injured Sunday included: Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards (bruised hip); Green Bay defensive backs Nick Collins (knee) and Al Harris (hand); Carolina kick returner Nick Goings (concussion); and Chicago safety Kevin Payne (arm) and offensive lineman John Tait (ankle).
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