Leftwich injured in Jaguars’ victory
NFL NOTES Sprains left ankle early in first quarter Feagles sets mark for consecutive games
Jacksonville starting quarterback Byron Leftwich left yesterday’s 24- 17 victory over Arizona early in the first quarter with a sprained left ankle. The injury occurred on the Jags’ first offensive play. Leftwich stayed in the game for four more plays, then later was carted off the field for x-rays. Shortly before halftime, the team announced was done for the day. He was replaced by David Garrard, who capped the opening drive with a 16- yard TD run and finished 12 of 26 for 115 yards and 62 yards rushing. FRANKS HURTS NECK:
Green Bay tight end Bubba Franks left yesterday’s game against Philadelphia with a neck injury. Franks, a three- time Pro Bowl selection, was carried off the field on a stretcher after a hard hit from Eagles safety Brian Dawkins on an incomplete pass early in the second quarter.
Franks had movement in all his extremities and waved his left hand to the Philly crowd as he left the field. 283 AND COUNTING:
New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles set the NFL record for consecutive games with his 283rd yesterday. Feagles broke the record when he kicked a 39- yard punt with 7: 35 left in the first quarter. The record of 282 was previously held by defensive lineman Jim Marshall, who played from 1960- 1969 with Cleveland and Minnesota. RACKERS’ STREAK ENDS:
Neil Rackers’s streak of consecutive field goals ended at 31 yesterday when the Arizona kicker’s 43- yard attempt at the end of the Cardinals’ first possession was wide left.
Rackers’s streak of 31 ties Fuad Reveiz ( 1994- 95) for third- longest in NFL history. The only longer ones were 40 by Gary Anderson in 1997- 98 and 42 by Mike Vanderjagt from 2002 to 2004. TAMPER, TAMPER:
Philadelphia has filed a tampering complaint against Dallas owner Jerry Jones, who suggested on a radio show that his team is often interested in players such as suspended wide receiver Terrell Owens.
“ We’ve gone down that road,” Jones said when asked if the Cowboys might be interested in Owens. “ I probably have a propensity to try and make things work. . . . A top receiver could flourish with Drew Bledsoe. That’s always appealing.” NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed yesterday the Eagles filed the complaint over Jones’s remarks and said “ the matter is under review.” IRVIN BUSTED:
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin was charged with misdemeanour possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his vehicle during a traffic stop, police in Plano, Texas, said yesterday.
Irvin, a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for speeding in Irving, Texas, after being pulled over Friday afternoon for speeding in Plano, the Plano police department said. Police spokesman Mike Johnson said he didn’t know what kind of paraphernalia was found. BRUCE ON THE LOOSE:
St. Louis wide receiver Isaac Bruce became the 11th player in NFL history to top 12,000 yards receiving yesterday in the Rams’ 33- 27 OT win over Houston. MARTIN SEEING STARS:
St. Louis Rams quarterback Jamie Martin left the game against the Texans after taking a blow to the head.
Martin was hit by Texans linebacker DaShon Polk on a third- down play late in the first quarter. He slowly got up and walked off the field on his own, Ryan Fitzpatrick, a rookie from Harvard, replaced Martin. NEDNEY DEACTIVATED:
Kicker Joe Nedney, the San Francisco 49ers’ most consistent offensive threat this season, was deactivated yesterday because of a groin injury that had him listed as doubtful against Tennessee. Nedney was replaced in the lineup by Jose Cortez, a former 49ers kicker who was signed Friday. Cortez had been released by Philadelphia on Tuesday.