SEATTLE — San Francisco running back Frank Gore suffered a concussion throwing a block in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 17-7 loss to Seattle on Sunday.
His backup, Carlos Hyde, also was injured in the third quarter when his right leg was pinned underneath him as he was tackled. There was no specific announcement on Hyde’s injury, but he did not return to the game.
Gore was hurt on a 22-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick to Bruce Miller. Gore was downfield on the play and crumpled to the turf after blocking Seattle’s Bobby Wagner. The San Francisco sideline jumped to help Gore, who was on his back for a few moments before standing up and walking off on his own.
The 49ers announced after halftime that Gore would not return. Gore had a productive first half rushing 11 times for 29 yards and a 10-yard touchdown that gave the 49ers a 7-3 lead.
The injuries to Gore and Hyde left San Francisco with Alfonso Smith as its primary ball carrier in the fourth quarter. Smith finished with six yards on four carries.
The 49ers also lost middle linebacker Chris Borland to an ankle injury on the final play of the first half that also knocked out Seattle left tackle Russell Okung from the game. Eric Reid intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass and the two players were injured on the return. Borland was hurt toward the end of the play, while Okung suffered a chest injury being blocked.
Borland attempted to play early in the second half but was too limited to continue. Okung sustained a chest-wall bruise and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation and released.
Seattle’s only other injury was tight end Tony Moeaki with a shoulder injury.
Texans QB Fitzpatrick carted off field vs Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — Houston quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was carted off the field with an air cast covering his left leg early in the second quarter at Indianapolis.
The team did not provide details about the injury other than to say Fitzpatrick would not return. Rookie Tom Savage replaced Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick was injured on a 2-yard run with 13:29 to go.
Fitzpatrick opened the season as Houston’s starter, was replaced by Ryan Mallett and then reclaimed the starting job three weeks ago when Mallett went down with a season-ending injury. Fitzpatrick had won two straight and was 3 of 6 for 30 yards Sunday before the injury.
Houston must win the game to stay alive in the AFC South chase.
Browns CB Joe Haden out with shoulder injury against Bengals
CLEVELAND — Browns star cornerback Joe Haden will undergo an MRI on Monday after injuring his shoulder in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati.
Haden walked to the locker room for further evaluation and tests early in the second quarter, with the Browns trailing 17-0. He didn’t return, and following the game, Browns coach Mike Pettine said his best defensive player would have the MRI.
It’s unclear when Haden got hurt, but he did land hard in the end zone while trying to make an interception on a pass by Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton intended for A.J. Green. Haden got his hands on the ball, but it was jarred loose when he made contact with the ground.
Haden is having another Pro Bowl-caliber season. He has three interceptions and he’s drawn the assignment of guarding the other team’s top wide receiver each week.
The Browns also lost rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert with a concussion. He went out late in the first half, further depleting Cleveland’s banged-up secondary. The No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, Gilbert had been playing better of late. He returned an interception for a touchdown last week against Indianapolis.
The losses of Haden and Gilbert are compounded by the Browns being without rookie cornerback K’Waun Williams and safety Tashaun Gipson, who leads the league with six interceptions but missed his third game with a knee injury.
The Browns also lost return specialist Marlon Moore with a knee injury.
Following the game, Pettine said "we have a bunch of guys getting MRIs," but he did not elaborate on any injuries.
Titans QB Locker hurts left shoulder, heads straight to locker room when hit by Jets’ Coples
NASHVILLE — Titans quarterback Jake Locker dislocated his left, non-throwing shoulder when hit by Jets defensive end Quinton Coples late in the first half and didn’t return Sunday.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said after a 16-11 loss to the Jets that doctors popped Locker’s shoulder back in.
Locker could have returned if needed, but would have only been able to hand off. This leaves the Titans with Charlie Whitehurst their only healthy quarterback.
The Titans (2-12) visit the Jaguars on Thursday night, leaving Locker a short week to try to recover. Whisenhunt said he would have to talk to the trainer to see if Locker can finish the season. Locker was starting with rookie Zach Mettenberger already out with a sprained right shoulder.
"You can pick a couple other positions where we’ve had bad luck too," Whisenhunt said. "I want to be clear that Zach’s and Jake’s are different, but yeah it’s hard. That’s an important position, and now we’ve had a couple guys get injured there."
Locker was hurt after throwing deep incomplete to Derek Hagan as Coples came around the corner and knocked the quarterback to the ground. Locker’s left arm got caught underneath. Locker stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes before walking off the field and to the locker room, holding his arm against his body.
He returned to the sideline during the third quarter wearing a cap and still in uniform.
The Titans’ emergency quarterback is wide receiver Kendall Wright, who was deactivated with a broken right hand. Whisenhunt said wide receiver Kris Durham was their emergency option if needed, though Durham hasn’t had much practice at quarterback.
"It would’ve been a stressful situation no question," Whisenhunt said.
Coples also knocked Locker out of the game the previous time these teams met in September 2013. Locker had to be taken off on a stretcher with an injured hip and knee, though he came in 2-0 against the Jets in his career.
Jets safety Calvin Pryor, who hurt his left shoulder early in the second quarter, went to the locker room. He returned for the Jets’ first defensive series in the third quarter.
Whisenhunt said after the game that Titans tight end Brett Brackett also hurt a knee, leaving them short at that position as well.
Detroit offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle carted off against Vikings with knee injury
Detroit Lions offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle was carted off the field in the third quarter against Minnesota on Sunday with a left knee injury.
Waddle, in his second NFL season, has been a starter for the Lions, but he’s been limited by injuries, including a calf issue early in the season.
Lions linebacker Ashlee Palmer left in the first half Sunday with a quadriceps injury.
Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was active and played after missing practice time during the week with an illness.
