NFL Nfl Injuries

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club's medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

When you're 8-1, you can afford to be picky.

Antoine Winfield is starting to return to practice after missing three games with a foot injury. But since the Vikings right now have a three-game lead in the NFC North, Winfield can head into the weekend knowing that he doesn't have to rush back before he's ready.

The best NFL news on Wednesday was that Brian Westbrook will not play this week. He may be your starting running back in your fantasy league, but the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time leader from scrimmage with 9,711 yards also is a man who is recuperating from two concussions in 20 days.

Right now, Westbrook is not just an NFL star. He is a medical patient.

Thankfully, everyone realizes it's time to focus on Westbrook's health and future well-being, and not how he can help move the chains for the Eagles' offense.

One could forgive Cleveland wide receiver/return man Josh Cribbs if he was upset with the Browns coaching staff for extending Monday night's game against Baltimore long enough to land him on a stretcher, despite the fact that the Browns were down 16 points with just seconds to play.

But Cribbs, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer by way of PFT, has a different account of the final play of the game: the decision to keep the ball alive was made by Brady Quinn (as opposed to head coach Eric Mangini).

Week 10's punt-fest between the Browns and Ravens was one of the worst Monday Night games in recent memory. The Ravens' offense struggled to move the ball consistently, and the Browns' offense was nothing but two-yard dive plays into the middle of the line and wide receiver screens that Baltimore's defense blew up before they even had a chance to develop.

As a result, the only thing anybody still wants to talk about after the Ravens' 16-0 win is Brady Quinn's low-block on an interception return in the third quarter, when he knocked linebacker Terrell Suggs out of the game with a knee injury. According to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times, early MRI results revealed a partially torn MCL for the pass-rushing linebacker, and he could miss the next two to three weeks.

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs was taken to a hospital for further tests after being injured on a hard hit on the final play of Baltimore's 16-0 win over Cleveland on Monday night.

Cribbs caught a pass from Brady Quinn on the final play and lateraled to Robert Royal. Following the pitch, Cribbs was hit near midfield by defensive end Dwan Edwards.

SAN DIEGO -- Brian Westbrook's Oct. 26 concussion was so troubling for the Philadelphia Eagles running back, he openly discussed the touchy subject of NFL head trauma and how concerned he was for his long-term health because of it.

Three weeks later, Westbrook sustained another concussion, one that took him out of the Eagles' 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. And now it's almost a certainty that the running back's season will be cut short.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina left tackle Jordan Gross(notes) broke his right ankle in the Panthers' 28-19 win over Atlanta.

Gross was blocking midway through the second quarter Sunday when a Falcons player fell into his leg, which bent awkwardly. The medical staff put a brace on his leg and ankle before he was carted to the locker room.

Coach John Fox said after the game that doctors told him Gross' ankle was broken, leaving Carolina without the anchor of its offensive line indefinitely.

Travelle Wharton moved from left guard to Gross' spot and Mackenzy Bernadeau replaced Wharton.

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Denver led Washington 17-14 when Chris Simms replaced Kyle Orton at quarterback, after Orton injured his ankle on the final offensive play of the first half. The Broncos picked up just three first downs the rest of the game, and the Redskins rallied for a 27-17 victory.

Simms, seeing his first meaningful action since suffering a serious spleen injury in 2006, completed just 3 of 13 passes and threw a very costly interception.

Denver has now lost three straight games since starting the season 6-0.

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Just when Pittsburgh thought Troy Polamalu was getting back to full health, the Steelers may have lost their superstar safety again. Polamalu limped to the locker room during Sunday's game between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, and immediate reports were that he had reinjured his left knee. He did not return to the game, which Cincinnati won 18-12.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Polamalu would undergo an MRI.

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