Saints lose McKenzie
A fluke injury on a crazy play has ended Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie’s season, making New Orleans’ slim playoff hopes even slimmer.
Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday that McKenzie tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while nearly recovering Donovan McNabb’s fumble in what turned out to be Philadelphia’s first touchdown in the Eagles’ 38-23 victory in New Orleans on Sunday.
McKenzie has been placed on injured reserve, as has reserve running back Jamaal Branch, who fractured his right leg during kickoff coverage.
McKenzie had been the Saints’ best defensive back this season, returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns and being chosen as an NFC alternate for the Pro Bowl.
He was the first player to arrive at the loose ball resulting from McNabb’s fumble, but the ball squirted into the end zone after he tried to fall on it at the 2-yard line. McKenzie then quickly bounced up to give chase before collapsing in the end zone.
It was one of several error-filled plays Sunday that cost New Orleans (7-8) a chance to take control of the race for the final wild-card spot in the NFC.
However, because Minnesota lost to Washington, the Saints remained alive heading into their regular season finale in Chicago on Sunday.
To advance, the Saints must beat the Bears, then hope Minnesota (8-7) falls at Denver and Washington (8-7) loses to visiting Dallas.
Around the league
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards confirmed that two-time Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson would not play in the season finale at the New York Jets because of a broken right foot. … Willie Parker, the NFL’s leading rusher when he broke his right leg Thursday night in St. Louis, was officially lost for the season when the Steelers placed him on injured reserve. … Browns starting NT Ethan Kelly and backup S Mike Adams were placed on injured reserve with knee injuries. … Panthers C Justin Hartwig sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in a loss to Dallas and will miss the final game. … LT Jason Peters will miss Buffalo’s season finale at Philadelphia with a groin injury that could also keep him from playing in the Pro Bowl.