Injuries hit hard during first weekend
Brett Grimes’ season is over for the Atlanta Falcons. Ty Warren’s career in the NFL might be over, too.
Their injuries were the most severe on the opening weekend of the season, although a neck strain suffered by Rams tackle Rodger Saffold looked worse.
Falcons cornerback Grimes tore an Achilles tendon – the team did not specify which leg – in a win at Kansas City. Grimes got the franchise tag this year when he couldn’t agree on a new contract, receiving a salary of $10.2 million.
Warren tore his right triceps in his first game since 2009 as Denver beat Pittsburgh. It’s the same injury that sidelined him all of last season. The 31-year-old defensive tackle missed the 2010 season, his last in New England, with a hip injury.
Saffold returned to St. Louis on Monday after spending the night in Detroit. Saffold was discharged from a hospital after results of several medical tests were negative.
“We still have some further tests to do, but it appears at this point it’s just a significant strain,” coach Jeff Fisher said.
St. Louis lost center Scott Wells with a broken bone in his left foot and will need surgery.
Bills receiver David Nelson will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee, while running back Fred Jackson hurt his right knee and is out for three weeks.
Another top cornerback, Jets All-Pro Darrelle Revis, has a concussion. Revis was injured midway through the fourth quarter of the Jets’ 48-28 victory over the Bills when he landed on his stomach when he dived to tackle C.J. Spiller and was accidentally kicked in the head by teammate Bart Scott.
Cardinals quarterback John Skelton has a low right ankle sprain and coach Ken Whisenhunt is noncommittal about Sunday at New England.
Tennessee running back Javon Ringer has an infection in his left elbow that ballooned before the Titans’ season-opening loss to New England. Coach Mike Munchak said Ringer has been in and out of the hospital for treatment.
Titans QB Jake Locker and linebacker Colin McCarthy both had MRI exams Monday afternoon. Locker hurt his left, non-throwing shoulder on a tackle, but Munchak said he feels good about the quarterback playing against San Diego.
Colts defensive star Dwight Freeney was still awaiting results on tests for a sprained left ankle. Right tackle Winston Justice has a concussion.
Redskins rookie safety Jordan Bernstine is out for the season with torn ligaments in his right knee.
Coach Mike Shanahan said X-rays were negative on receiver Pierre Garcon’s sore right foot.
The big injury news in New England was whether Tom Brady has a broken nose; even the MVP quarterback is unsure.
Whatever the diagnosis, he’ll play Sunday.