Falcons, Eagles lose stars to injuries

Atlanta lost offensive stars Matt Ryan and Michael Turner to injuries Sunday, and the Falcons wouldn’t say how serious they are.

Ryan, the second-year quarterback, hurt his big right toe on Atlanta’s first series in a 20-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

Turner reinjured his right ankle during the third quarter, a high sprain that had kept the running back out of the previous game and limited him in practice.

Ryan apparently hurt his toe on the ninth snap of the game, a sack by Stylez White and Tim Crowder.

The toe was taped up, extra padding was added to his shoe and Ryan did some light jogging on the sideline to test it out.

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson suffered a concussion in Philadelphia’s 27-24 win over Washington.

Jackson left the game after he was hit on a catch late in the third quarter. Jackson has developed into Philadelphia’s No. 1 wide receiver this season with 44 catches for 769 yards and six touchdowns. He caught a 35-yard TD on Sunday.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Jackson did not lose consciousness and would need further evaluation.

Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez left New York’s 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers for four plays with a left knee injury. After the game, Sanchez said he was totally fine.

Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman left San Diego’s 43-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs with a foot injury in the second quarter and did not return.

•Goodell to expand concussion restrictions: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly will expand restrictions on returning to games for players who suffer head trauma.

Fox Sports reported Goodell will issue a memo this week to all 32 teams expanding grounds for the removal of a player with a head injury or concussion.

Currently, a player can return to the game after being diagnosed with a concussion if he is asymptomatic at rest and under exertion, and is cleared by the team doctor.

The lone exception is if the medical staff determines the player lost consciousness, in which case he is ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The report said that if a player is “woozy, has general dementia or memory loss,” Goodell wants him barred from returning to a game.

The Associated Press this month conducted a survey of 160 NFL players – about 10 percent of the league – and 30 replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion.

•Tomlinson passes Allen, James for 10th all-time: LaDainian Tomlinson has passed Marcus Allen and Edgerrin James to take over 10th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

Tomlinson came into Sunday’s game against Kansas City with 12,218 career yards, good for 12th.

He passed Allen (12,243 yards) on a 5-yard run in the first quarter, then passed James (12,246) on an 8-yard run in the second quarter, giving him 12,254 yards.

Up next is Marshall Faulk in ninth with 12,279 yards.