Browns QB Kessler suffers concussion
Geno Smith’s return to the starting lineup came to a premature end Sunday, with the New York Jets quarterback exiting a 24-16 win over Baltimore with a right knee injury in the second quarter.
INJURY REPORT
The start was Smith’s first of the year, and he was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started the previous 22 games for New York before being bench after last week.
Smith injured his knee while being sacked by Baltimore’s Matthew Judon. He was taken to the locker room and returned to the field in street clothes, and he’ll have an MRI this week. Before the injury, Smith finished 4 of 8 for 95 yards and a touchdown.
“It’s frustrating to get injured, no matter what point in the game it is,” Smith said. “The key thing is we won the game today.”
Fitzpatrick, who had thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions before he was benched, was an efficient 9 of 14 for 120 yards and a touchdown — and no interceptions. Running back Matt Forte provided much of the offense for New York, rushing for 100 yards and also finishing with four catches for 54 yards.
Also Sunday, Cleveland’s quarterback woes continued with Cody Kessler suffering a concussion. Kessler was hit hard while throwing a shovel pass on a scramble, and he was replaced by rookie Kevin Hogan. Kessler was 9 of 11 for 82 yards before his injury.
In Buffalo, LeSean McCoy’s nagging left hamstring flared up, with the NFL’s second-leading rusher being forced to leave the game at Miami in the third quarter. It was decisive as the Dolphins rallied to win with McCoy sidelined.
McCoy had been questionable after hurting himself in practice Wednesday, but he started and totaled 11 yards on eight carries before departing.
Bills safety Aaron Williams suffered a head and neck injury when Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a block in the second quarter. Landry hit Williams high, leading with his shoulder. Williams remained on his back for a couple of minutes before he slowly rose and was led to the locker room.
The penalty was declined because Buffalo instead accepted an unrelated penalty on the Dolphins.
Washington cornerback Josh Norman was forced out of the game against Detroit, suffering a concussion and appearing to injure his left shoulder while defending a catch by the Lions’ Marvin Jones. Norman laid on the turf before walking off the field slowly and being carted to the locker room.
In Philadelphia, Eagles cornerback Ron Brooks was carted off the field after suffering a right knee injury late while making a tackle in the first quarter.
Brooks stayed down for a few minutes and appeared in pain while trainers worked on his leg.
The injury woes for Tennessee, which has already lost right guard Chance Warmack to injured reserve, continued with left guard Quinton Spain carted off with a right knee injury early in the second quarter.
Spain went down during an incomplete pass. Trainers examined his right knee, then carted him to the locker room.
Atlanta running back Tevin Coleman hurt his hamstring in the third quarter against San Diego. Coleman, who splits carries with starter Devonta Freeman, ran eight times for 64 yards and a touchdown before getting hurt.