The already banged-up Falcons offensive line was decimated by injuries in a 41-28 loss against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Falcons lost three starting linemen in the first three quarters, forcing them to play tight end Levin Toilolo at right tackle in the fourth.
Left guard Justin Blalock left the game in the second quarter with a back injury, right tackle Lamar Holmes went out with a right foot injury in the third quarter, and center Joe Hawley had to be taken off the field on a cart with a right leg injury at the end of the third.
The Falcons were already missing left tackle Sam Baker, who was lost for the year in the preseason to a right knee injury.
In the same game, rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater first NFL start ended early. He passed for 317 yards and a key two-point conversion before hurting his ankle in the fourth quarter. Bridgewater's left foot rolled underneath him as he was sandwiched by two tacklers at the 1-yard line.
Bridgewater replaced Matt Cassel in last week's loss at New Orleans when the veteran broke his left foot.
Another rookie quarterback, the Raiders' Derek Carr, injured his left ankle and knee in the third quarter of a 38-14 loss to the Miami Dolphins in London.
Carr was 16 for 25 for 146 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. With backup Matt Schaub at home in Oakland, Matt McGloin replaced Carr.
Already short-handed at linebacker, the Raiders lost Kaluka Maiava early in the game.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis left a 26-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles early in the third quarter with a back injury.
Davis made a 5-yard catch in the flat, and as he was being pulled down by one defender he was struck in the back by another and went down in pain. He got up holding his back, then went back down before he was helped to the locker room, clearly uncomfortable.
Davis had returned this week after sitting out last Sunday's loss at Arizona with a left ankle injury.
Goodell, Strong meet
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Texas Coach Charlie Strong on Sunday to talk about the core values Strong uses to run his program.
"This morning, nflcommish & I met w Strong--TexasFB to discuss core values, game integrity, & college relations," NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent posted on his Twitter account. "Great meeting, great input."
Strong has dismissed nine players during his first year as Texas coach.
"Admire (Strong's) 5 core values: Honesty, treat women with respect, and no drugs, stealing, or guns," Vincent tweeted. "Strong--TexasFB's emphasis on character & respect over talent is molding the next generation of football talent. Standards are key."
The NFL is re-evaluating its personnel conduct policy after Goodell admitted mishandling the disciplinary process for former Ravens running back Ray Rice, who struck his then-fiancee in a casino elevator.
Jersey orders at 10,000
The Cincinnati Bengals have received orders for nearly 10,000 Devon Still jerseys, part of an initiative to raise money for pediatric cancer care and research.
Still's 4-year-old daughter, Leah, is being treated for cancer. She had surgery last week.
The Bengals offered to donate money from the sale of Still's No. 75 jersey to Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. The jerseys cost $100 apiece. So far, more than $1 million has been raised. The Bengals have a link on their website for those who want to donate without buying a jersey.
Orders have come from all 50 states as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The Bengals announced Sunday that the jersey sale initiative will continue through Oct. 20.
Sports on 09/29/2014