ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – First, Fred Jackson was carted off. Then, C.J. Spiller.
And it’s unclear when the Buffalo Bills one-two punch running back tandem will be healthy after the two were hurt 10 minutes apart in the first half of Buffalo’s 17-16 win over Minnesota on Sunday.
Spiller, who was carted off in tears, hurt his left shoulder and will miss what coach Doug Marrone called "an undetermined amount of time."
As for Jackson, the Bills are waiting for further tests to determine the severity of the groin injury the veteran running back sustained late in the first quarter.
The injuries deplete Buffalo’s offensive backfield, which was down to running back Anthony Dixon and fullback Frank Summers. The Bills have one other running back on their roster, Bryce Brown, who has been inactive so far this season after being acquired in a trade with Philadelphia in May.
Buffalo (4-3) plays at the New York Jets this weekend before entering its bye week.
Marrone expressed confidence in his team’s depth at running back.
"It’s not like we have to go out on the street to get somebody to come in," Marrone said. "I have no problem bringing up Bryce. We talked about (playing him) last week, which I hoped wasn’t a jinx."
Dixon had 51 yards rushing, and three catches for 15 yards in a game the Bills won on Kyle Orton’s 2-yard pass to Sammy Watkins with 1 second left.
Jackson was hurt while rushing up the middle for no gain on a third-and-1. He immediately grabbed the inside of his left leg as he was on the field.
Jackson required help getting up and had difficulty moving his legs while being helped to the sideline by centre Eric Wood and a trainer. He then had his head in his hands while being carted off.
Spiller was hurt as he fell hard to the turf after being tripped up from behind by safety Robert Blanton.
Spiller was in immediate pain as he rolled over on the left sideline. A towel was placed over Spiller’s head as he was carefully loaded onto the cart.
Bills starting safety Aaron Williams did not return after aggravating a neck injury in the second half.
The Vikings (2-5) lost offensive line starters to injury. Center John Sullivan did not return after sustaining a concussion. Right guard Vladimir Ducasse did not return after hurting his right knee.
Coach Mike Zimmer said he had "no idea" when asked if either has a chance to play at Tampa Bay next weekend.
49ers centre Kilgore carted off the field with a left leg injury
DENVER – San Francisco 49ers centre Daniel Kilgore has been carted off the field with a left leg and ankle injury. He will not return.
Kilgore was hurt on Frank Gore’s run up the middle with 9:23 left in the third quarter. He was tended to by trainers before being helped onto a motorized cart and taken off the field.
Kilgore is in his fifth year out of Appalachian State.
New Orleans centre Jonathan Goodwin leaves game with left leg injury
DETROIT – New Orleans Saints centre Jonathan Goodwin left Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter with a leg injury.
He will not return.
Goodwin appeared to hurt his left ankle shortly before halftime when a Detroit player fell onto it. He was able to walk off the field, but the injury looked painful.
New Orleans also lost nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley in the second half to a concussion, and fellow defensive lineman Glenn Foster left with a knee injury.
Saints running back Pierre Thomas was shaken up after a hard hit near the sideline in the third quarter. He left the game, but there was no immediate word on what his injury was.
Bears CB Kyle Fuller leaves game against Dolphins with hip injury
CHICAGO – Cornerback Kyle Fuller has left the Bears’ game against Miami with a hip injury.
Fuller was hurt while making a tackle in the third quarter. He was first announced as questionable to return, but the Bears announced in the fourth period that he would miss the rest of Sunday’s game.
Fuller was Chicago’s first-round pick in this year’s draft out of Virginia Tech. He already has three interceptions, tied for the NFL lead.
Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins returns after injuring right knee late in 1st half
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins returned for the first defensive series of the second half after injuring his right ankle late in the half against Seattle on Sunday.
Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon also injured an ankle in the second quarter and his return was questionable. Simon made his NFL debut after missing all last season due to injury.
Jenkins was hurt assisting on the tackle after a 22-yard reception by Cooper Helfet. He was down on the field for several minutes with 1:41 to play and Seattle at the St. Louis 36.
Jenkins walked off the sideline for medical tests and was replaced by Marcus Roberson.
Redskins’ Brian Orakpo injures right pectoral muscle in win against Titans; MRI on Monday
LANDOVER, Md. – Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo injured his right pectoral muscle in Washington’s 19-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans and will have an MRI on Monday.
Orakpo, a three-time Pro Bowler, was hurt trying to make a tackle on a running play in the fourth quarter Sunday and did not return.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Orakpo’s injury was the only significant one for the team.
Orakpo has twice torn the pectoral muscle near his left shoulder in the past.
