Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson went to the locker room for X-rays on an injured finger on his throwing hand but returned after sitting out just one series in the Browns’ 20-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Anderson, whose emergence pushed the Browns to the brink of a playoff berth, was hit by safety Michael Lewis while throwing an incomplete pass late in the first half and walked slowly to the sideline clutching his hand.
He sat briefly on the bench before he was escorted to the locker room by Browns medical personnel. The team initially said his return was questionable, but X-rays on his right pinky were negative.
Anderson returned after halftime and finished 11-of-20 for 152 yards. Rookie Brady Quinn made his debut while Anderson was out.
Coach Romeo Crennel downplayed the severity of the injury.
“We kissed it and rubbed some aspirin on it,” Crennel said.
The Green Bay Packers, locked in as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, weren’t able to completely avoid injuries in their 34-13 victory over Detroit. Running back Ryan Grant left the game with a stinger in the first quarter and cornerback/punt returner Will Blackmon was carted to the locker room with a foot injury just before halftime.
Coach Mike McCarthy said Grant could have returned to the game if needed. The more serious injury appeared to be to Blackmon, who aggravated a foot injury that has cost him significant chunks of his first two NFL seasons.
McCarthy said he didn’t have any additional information on injuries to two of the team’s guards. Jason Spitz left with a quadriceps injury in the first half and Junius Coston injured his calf in the second half.
New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston, who took several hard shots in a 33-25 loss to the Bears, hurt his left wrist when he hit it on a helmet and it swelled up so badly he couldn’t move it. He spent the second half on the sideline.
Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan was knocked out of Philadelphia’s 17-9 win over Buffalo with a concussion, two plays after he started his 176th straight game.
Bills receiver Lee Evans left the game after a hard hit to the chest.
Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon left Miami’s 38-25 loss to Cincinnati in the third quarter with a bruised hip. Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey hurt his back in the second half. Bengals receiver Antonio Chatman injured his ankle in the third quarter.
Falcons defensive end John Abraham had two sacks in the first half of Atlanta’s 44-41 win over the Seahawks, giving him 10 for the year, before he left with a back injury.
Tampa Bay guard Arron Sears left in the first quarter of the Buccaneers’ 31-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers with an ankle injury and did not return.
Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth limped off the field with 52 seconds left in the first quarter against the Colts. He entered the game with a hamstring injury. Trainers were stretching Haynesworth’s right leg on the sideline, and he returned for the start of the second quarter.
Cowboys safety Keith Davis injured his left knee in the second half of Dallas’ 27-6 loss to the Redskins, but coach Wade Phillips said Davis would be fine.
Chiefs running back Kolby Smith left Kansas City’s 13-10 loss to the Jets after injuring an ankle during its first possession.
Injuries for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 27-21 loss to the Ravens included tackle Max Starks (left knee sprain), linebacker James Harrison (shoulder bruise), cornerback Bryant McFadden (ankle) and kick returner Willie Reid (shoulder).
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