Season over for Bears’ Knox; Patriots’ Carter also ailing

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears receiver Johnny Knox will miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery Monday.

Coach Lovie Smith confirmed that Knox would not play again this year. He was taken from the field on a cart early in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Smith says the surgery to stabilize a vetebra in his lower to mid back started Monday morning and was not finished as of midday.

The injury is not considered career-threatening.

After Knox caught a pass, Kam Chancellor poked the ball out of his hands, and as Knox made a diving attempt to retrieve it, he was hit by Anthony Hargrove and bent backward. Smith says it was “an unfortunate play” but not a dirty one.

Carter’s injury big blow to Patriots‘ defense

DENVER — New England defensive end Andre Carter likely will need surgery on his quad, which he injured in Sunday’s victory at Denver. If Carter has surgery, his season probably would be over.

Carter, who has 10 sacks, was injured attempting to tackle Broncos running back Lance Ball during the Patriots‘ 41-23 win.

The 11-year veteran is one of the top tacklers on New England’s banged-up defense. The Patriots already were missing linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (foot).

Chargers keep hopes alive with rout of Ravens

SAN DIEGO — Philip Rivers threw for one score and reached the 4,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season, Ryan Mathews ran for two scores and hit 1,000 yards rushing, and the San Diego Chargers kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a 34-14 victory against the playoff-bound Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

The Chargers (7-7) neutralized Baltimore’s normally ferocious defense, which got Ray Lewis back after a four-game injury absence, and scored on six of their first seven possessions. San Diego is tied with Oakland, a game behind Denver with two to play. San Diego has won three straight after a six-game losing streak.

The Ravens (10-4) saw their four-game winning streak snapped, but clinched a playoff berth earlier in the day thanks to losses by the New York Jets, Oakland and Tennessee.

Around the league

• JETS: New York running back-kickoff returner Joe McKnight has a separated right shoulder, a person with knowledge of the injury said. McKnight was hurt in Sunday’s 45-19 loss at Philadelphia. McKnight is the team’s third-string running back, but as a kickoff returner he is averaging 32.3 yards a return, best in the league, and has a 107-yard touchdown.

• BROWNS: Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy has not yet been medically cleared to resume practice following a concussion, and it remains unclear if he will play again this season. Coach Pat Shurmur said McCoy remains day-to-day…. Wide receiver Jordan Norwood sustained a concussion on Sunday, at least the 11th reported head injury for the Browns this season.

Story Continues →

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.