Brady’s injury not a major one

The one player the banged-up New England Patriots could least afford to lose limped through most of Sunday’s game and had X-rays taken after it.

A day later, though, coach Bill Belichick said Tom Brady was “fine,” and the quarterback said he didn’t think his lower left leg injury was “too major.”

Brady has started 84 consecutive games, beginning with his first pro start on Sept. 30, 2001. New England really needs him Saturday when it plays Tampa Bay (9-4), a strong defensive team that has won more games than the Patriots’ last two opponents combined.

Brady was hurt less than 10 minutes into Sunday’s 35-7 win at Buffalo (4-9) on his 3-yard scoring run, his first rushing touchdown in two seasons. He was injured while diving into the end zone, where he was hit by linebacker Jeff Posey. He stayed in the game until Doug Flutie entered with 7:02 left and the Patriots up 28-0.

“I don’t think it’s anything too major,” Brady said on his regular Monday appearance on WEEI-AM. “It’s feeling kind of what I expected this morning. It’s exactly like I got hit on it, a little stiff. The only time I get banged up, though, I’m running around.”

Giants-Jets stadium likely to top $1 billion

The cost of the new football stadium the New York Giants and New York Jets will jointly build in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., likely will top $1 billion.

Owners of both teams filed preliminary site plans Monday for the new 81,000-seat stadium, to be built between the existing Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack. The teams are still working on design details, and they have yet to determine whether a retractable roof will be part of the plan.

The stadium, which will be paid for by the teams, is the first in NFL history to be jointly built by two franchises, and is due to open for the 2010 season. Both teams currently use Giants Stadium.

The new stadium will be served by a New Jersey Transit rail station connected to a transfer station, potentially bringing 10,000 fans per hour into the stadium by train.

The state is not contributing to the cost of the stadium, but is kicking in about $225 million worth of infrastructure improvements.

Texans hire Reeves as special consultant

Grasping for answers in their 1-12 season, the Houston Texans hired Dan Reeves as a special consultant to team owner Bob McNair.

McNair made it clear that Reeves, an NFL head coach for 23 seasons with the Broncos, Giants and Falcons, was not brought in to critique coach Dom Capers or general manager Charley Casserly. Both he and Reeves said he is not a coaching candidate for the Texans.

McNair said he hired Reeves to get an outside opinion of his organization and that he would spend time talking with coaches, watching practice and reviewing game film.

Martin vows to return next year

No matter the year, the New York Jets had one sure thing week after week: Curtis Martin.

Now that he is out for the season, nothing is so sure. Will Martin return to the New York Jets in 2006? If he does, will he be the starter?

Martin vowed to be back in 2006, and coach Herman Edwards said Monday he anticipates the venerable running back will be on the team. Many questions have to be answered first.

When training camp opens, he will 33 – ancient in running back years – and coming off surgery on his right knee.

Martin will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday, while rookie Cedric Houston gets the nod again for this weekend’s game against Miami. Martin, known for playing through pain, expects to make a full recovery and said Sunday he wants to play a 12th season.

Westbrook put on IR

Running back Brian Westbrook is finished for the season after the Eagles placed him on injured reserve.

Westbrook, however, doesn’t need surgery for his foot injury, called a Lis Franc sprain.

“This should heal up,” coach Andy Reid said. “It may take six to nine weeks to get right.”

Former Patriot Cudzik dies

Walt Cudzik, a former NFL and AFL center who was an original member of the Boston Patriots, has died. He was 73.

Cudzik died Sunday at his Gulf Shores, Ala., home, the Patriots said. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Cudzik joined the Patriots in 1960, their first season in the AFL. He played in all 56 games from 1960 to 1963.