Flacco concussed in chippy victory

Joe Flacco threw a touchdown pass before being knocked from the game with a concussion, and the host Ravens frustrated the Dolphins in a 40-0 victory Thursday night.

Flacco was struck in the helmet by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso while sliding at the end of an impromptu run. Flacco’s helmet flew off, and he appeared dazed as he struggled to his feet.

Late in the game, Dolphins defensive tackle

Ndamukong Suh jumped offside and hit Flacco’s replacement, Ryan Mallett. When Mallett pushed back, Suh grabbed Mallett’s throat and pushed him away.

Alex Collins ran for a career-high 113 yards, and the Ravens (4-4) returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the most lopsided shutout in franchise history. C.J. Mosley had a 63-yard interception return and Jimmy Smith a 50-yard pick-six. Big blow for Pats: Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is out for the season after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair his torn right pectoral, according to reports.

The loss of Hightower is a blow for a Patriots defense that has improved in recent weeks but continues to rank last in the NFL in total defense, giving up 426.7 yards per game.

Hightower has 14 tackles and two sacks. In March, he signed a four-year deal worth $35.5 million.

With Hightower out, his snaps are expected to fall to

Kyle Van Noy and David Harris. Van Noy has started all seven games this season and has 49 tackles and 3 1⁄2 sacks. Harris has appeared in four games with one start and has four tackles.

Among the elite: Adam

Vinatieri may be 44, but the Colts kicker is 12 of 13 on field goals, has scored 45 points and is on pace for an unprecedented 20th 100point season. This week he is pursuing

Gary Anderson, who is second on the league’s career scoring list at 2,434 points. Vinatieri needs 12 points to pass him and 23 to move within double digits of career leader Morten

Andersen’s 2,544. “I’m feeling good now, so hopefully I can play next year, and if I’m still feeling good next year, we’ll see after that,” Vinatieri said.

Garrett out again: A concussion will keep Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett from traveling to London to face the Vikings on Sunday.

The No. 1 pick in the draft, who missed the first four games with a sprained ankle, recorded a sack Sunday and had no symptoms until two days later. Extra points: The Bills granted WR Anquan

Boldin permission to explore a trade, according to reports. The Bills hold the rights to Boldin, who retired in August . ... The Cardinals placed QB Carson Palmer on injured reserve after he underwent surgery for a broken left arm. Palmer’s longtime backup, Drew Stanton, will now start . ... The Cowboys parted ways with backup QB Kellen Moore after promoting Cooper

Rush to the No. 2 role . ... The Jaguars signed speedy LB Telvin Smith to a four-year contract extension. He leads the Jaguars with 58 tackles.