Texans’ J.J. Watt out after injury

Houston Texans star J.J. Watt injured his left knee in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs, and was placed in an ambulance and taken to a hospital.

The defensive end fell to the ground while being blocked midway through the quarter Sunday night.

Watt remained on his hands and knees for a couple of minutes while trainers checked on him. He was then helped to his feet and looked to be in a lot of pain and didn’t appear to be able to put any weight on the leg as he was helped off the field by two Texans officials.

The three-time defensive player of the year returned this season after missing the final 13 games of last year after his second back surgery.

Ravens

Joe Flacco knew the criticism surrounding him after two rough starts. But one big pass to Mike Wallace helped change all that as the Ravens rediscovered a deep passing game to defeat Oakland, 3017. “I have confidence in who I am as a player and a person, and I have confidence in our football team. So I’m never going to waver,” Flacco said. “I may not play well one week, but it’s not going to change who I am.”

Panthers

Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue was not working in the Ford Field press box during the game against Detroit. “Taking some time off,” Mike Persinger, the paper’s executive sports editor said in an email. Rodrigue asked Cam Newton about wide receiver Devin Funchess’ route running on Wednesday and the quarterback laughed and said, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes. It’s funny.” Newton later apologized for what many groups considered sexist comments.

Giants

New York superstar Odell Beckham Jr. broke his left ankle when he landed awkwardly trying to catch a high pass late in the Giants’ 27-22 loss to the Chargers. The Giants also lost Sterling Shepard and Brandon Marshall who injured their left ankles, and Dwayne Harris who hurt his foot on a kick return.

Browns

Rookie DeShone Kizer was benched by coach Hue Jackson for being ineffective. Kizer sat out the second half of Cleveland’s 17-14 loss to the Jets and might have lost his job to Kevin Hogan. The Browns (0-5) dropped to 1-20 in two seasons under Jackson.