BILLS
Carrington’s season over
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Former Arkansas State defensive lineman Alex Carrington made his first start of the season Sunday for the Buffalo Bills in place of injured defensive end Mario Williams. But he saw his season end after 32 snaps in a 30-22 loss at Kansas City.
Carrington, 28, was carted off the field in the final minute of the third quarter, after tearing his left quadriceps muscle and was placed on season-ending injured reserve Monday.
“It doesn’t look good,” Buffalo Coach Rex Ryan said Monday. “I know it was just above the knee. We knew it was a significant injury.”
Ryan told The Buffalo (N.Y.) News before Sunday’s game he was happy Carrington was able to fill in for Williams.
“I like him, because he’s a versatile guy,” Ryan said of Carrington. “He can play inside, he can play outside. He can do a lot of different things. He’s a good player.”
Carrington, who returned to the Bills as a free agent after spending one year with the St. Louis Rams, will be an unrestricted free agent again after this season. He played in seven games this season and totaled eight tackles, including five unassisted, playing 20 percent of the team’s defensive snaps before Sunday’s start.
In six seasons in the NFL, he has played in 59 games, primarily as a backup, and has made 62 tackles, 39 unassisted, and has 4 sacks.
“Next man up. You’ve just got to go play,” Carrington told The News on Thursday. “I mean, I’ll be ready. I’m preparing like I do every week. Looking forward to it, though.”
On Monday, Ryan said that it’s too early to tell whether Williams can return after missing one game with a foot injury.
“Hopefully, Mario can play in some capacity,” Ryan said. “I’m not sure. We certainly need him.”
Buffalo is already playing without starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a left knee injury, and starting safety Aaron Williams (neck).
Backup running back Karlos Williams’ status is uncertain after he hurt his left shoulder against Kansas City. Ryan said he expects starting right guard John Miller to miss his second consecutive game with a high left ankle sprain.
JETS
Williams day-to-day
New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams has a sprained knee ligament that could keep him out for next week’s game against the New York Giants next Sunday.
Jets Coach Todd Bowles confirmed Monday during a conference call that Williams injured the medial collateral ligament in one of his knees and is “day to day.”
Bowles said there’s a chance he could play, but the team will get a better feel for Williams’ status as the week progresses.
Williams started Sunday in the Jets’ 38-20 victory over Miami in place of Darrelle Revis, who is still going through the NFL’s concussion protocol. Bowles said Revis has made “slight progress,” but it’s too early to tell if he’ll be available.
Williams was injured when he returned an interception, his team-leading fifth of the season, in the first quarter.
DOLPHINS
OC Lazor fired after loss
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has been fired, and Zac Taylor will become the team’s primary play-caller.
The move by interim coach Dan Campbell came Monday after the Dolphins lost 38-20 to the New York Jets. The Dolphins (4-7) were shut out in the first half and have scored less than 21 points in each of their past five games.
Lazor was in his second season with the Dolphins. Taylor is in his fourth year in Miami and will remain the quarterbacks coach.
The Dolphins rank 27th in the NFL in offensive points at 18.5 points per game. They’re next to last in thirddown conversion at 28 percent.
EAGLES
Kelly denies USC meeting
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly denied reports that the University of Southern California met with him to discuss its coaching vacancy before the school hired interim coach Clay Helton on Monday.
Kelly, in his third year with the Eagles after a very successful run in the Pacific-12 Conference with Oregon, addressed the issue at his regularly scheduled news conference.
“I have never spoken to anybody from USC. I have never emailed anybody from USC,” Kelly said, “I never had a phone call with anybody from USC. I never had any contact with anybody from USC.”
The coach said his agent also did not speak with the school.
CHIEFS
LB Houston awaiting MRI
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston appears to have a strained ligament in his left knee, though the team is still awaiting MRI exam results to determine the severity of the injury.
Coach Andy Reid said Monday that Houston would be examined later in the day. He was hurt during the first half of Sunday’s 30-22 victory over Buffalo when he tripped over a teammate.
Houston sustained a similar injury a playoff loss to Indianapolis two years ago.
The All-Pro pass rusher had 22 sacks last season, which earned him a six-year, $101 million contract in the offseason. He has 7 1/2 sacks through 11 games this season.
Kansas City (6-5) has won five consecutive games heading into Sunday’s game in Oakland.
COLTS
Bradshaw out for season
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw will miss the rest of this season after injuring his wrist in Sunday’s 25-12 victory over Tampa Bay.
Indianapolis announced Monday that Bradshaw had been put on the injured reserve list. The Colts (6-5) re-signed running back Zurlon Tipton to replace Bradshaw on the roster ahead of this week’s game at Pittsburgh.
Tipton was cut last week when the Colts claimed another running back, Daniel Herron, off waivers.
Bradshaw spent 2013 and 2014 with Indy, but he finished both seasons on injured reserve. The Colts re-signed Bradshaw on Oct. 14. He played in 6 games, had 31 carries for 85 yards and caught 10 passes for 654 yards and 3 touchdowns.