Week after losing Olsen, Panthers lose WR Benjamin

Kelvin Benjamin left with a knee injury after the first quarter of the Carolina Panthers’ loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the second straight week their struggling offense was further weakened by the departure of a key pass catcher.

The receiver’s leg got bent back awkwardly after he was dragged down from behind. Benjamin tore his ACL in the same knee two years ago. Coach Ron Rivera offered no indication on the seriousness of the injury, saying Benjamin will be re-evaluated by doctors on Monday.

The Panthers were playing their first game without Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who broke his right foot in a loss to Buffalo last week.

Newton was limited in practice this week as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, and he left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree left the Oakland Raiders’ loss to the Redskins with a chest injury, while Washington running back Samaje Perine injured his hand on a fumble in the fourth quarter. Redskins OT Ty Nsekhe suffered a groin injury.

Seattle’s Doug Baldwin caught 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks’ loss to Tennessee, but left in the fourth quarter with an injured groin. The Seahawks also lost linebacker Dewey Mcdonald to a knee injury on the opening kickoff. He did not return.

The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Giants on the final play of regulation despite losing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf ), running back Darren Sproles (wrist) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (ankle) in the first half. New York lost defensive end Olivier Vernon to an ankle injury and running back Orleans Darkwa to an injured back in the fourth quarter.

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that was already without three starters took a few more hits Sunday in a loss to Minnesota, with linebacker Lavonte David lost in potentially the biggest blow. He had the back of his ankle rolled on inadvertently by a Vikings player during a scrum around the ball in the fourth quarter and left on a cart.

The New York Jets got their first win, beating the Miami Dolphins, but lost running back Matt Forte to an injured toe that caused him to sit out most of the second half. Coach Todd Bowles said Forte, who finished with 25 yards on eight carries, would have X-rays.

Outside linebacker Josh Martin and wide receiver Charone Peake both left with ankle injuries. Bowles said they also will have X-rays taken.