Peterson made an 11-yard catch in the third quarter of Minnesota's 34-0 loss when he was hit by cornerback Al Harris in the middle of the field. The tackle sent Peterson sprawling and he writhed in pain before limping off with the help of trainers.

He was diagnosed with a sprained right knee and said an MRI exam is scheduled for Monday.

"It was scary," Peterson said. "It happened so fast. I don't know if it was a shoulder pad or helmet, but right when I planted, that's when he came and hit me."

Peterson finished with 45 yards on 11 carries, after going for an NFL-record 296 yards in a victory over the San Diego Chargers the previous week.

"I don't expect to go out there and rush for almost 300 yards every week," Peterson said. "You've got your best game one week and your worst game the next."

The Vikings also played without quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (concussion). Backup Brooks Bollinger struggled in his place, finishing 16-of-26 for 176 yards.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins "banged" his knee but did not elaborate on the injury. Green Bay also lost right tackle Mark Tauscher to an ankle injury.

Peterson wasn't the only running back to get banged up Sunday.

The Saints' Reggie Bush left briefly after getting slammed to the ground against St. Louis, and the Titans lost LenDale White to a knee injury, although coach Jeff Fisher said he could have returned in their 28-13 loss to Jacksonville.

New Orleans also lost starting left tackle Jammal Brown to a lower left leg injury, and had to play without defensive end Charles Grant (ankle), defensive tackle Brian Young (knee) and linebacker Scott Shanle (hamstring).

Tennessee cornerback Nick Harper and wide receiver Brandon Jones sustained concussions, and right tackle David Stewart hurt an ankle. That came after the team deactivated defensive end Travis LaBoy (concussion), defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (hamstring) and running back Chris Brown (ankle) before the game.

"It's a big difference," Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said of not having Haynesworth. "Albert is a dominant player. He's such a force. He draws double teams in the run game, and we missed him today."

Several quarterbacks also were knocked out of games Sunday, including the Bears' Brian Griese, whose replacement had Chicago fans groaning one minute and elated the next.

Griese left the game against Oakland with a shoulder injury shortly before halftime, after getting sacked by linebacker Kirk Morrison. Rex Grossman came in and promptly fumbled the first exchange with center Olin Kreutz, but later threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian with 3:11 remaining to send the Bears to a 17-6 victory.

Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard was shaken up on a hit by Denver's Elvis Dumervil in the third quarter of a 27-11 loss. Huard sat out the rest of the game with an ice pack on his neck, and was replaced by second-year pro Brodie Croyle.

"I haven't decided anything," said Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, when asked who will start next week at Indianapolis. "I'll think about it Monday and then we'll talk about what we're going to do at quarterback on Tuesday."

The Chiefs also were without Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson (foot). General manager Carl Peterson said he does not believe Johnson is out for the year, but declined to say how long he might be gone.

Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde started against Atlanta despite a right Achilles' tendon injury, but he was without wide receiver Keary Colbert (foot).

The Falcons rallied for 20-13 victory, but did so without receiver Joe Horn (hamstring), running back Jerious Norwood (ankle) and rookie tight end Martrez Milner, who was carted off late in the first half with an ankle injury.

"The Achilles' was good enough to get me through the game," Testaverde said. "The one word I can describe today as is disappointing."

Colts tight end Dallas Clark joined wide receiver Marvin Harrison on the inactive list Sunday night against San Diego. The Colts were missing three other injured starters: linebackers Tyjuan Hagler and Freddy Keiaho, and left tackle Tony Ugoh.

San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie made his first career start in place of Quentin Jammer, who was out with a hamstring injury.

The Giants lost right tackle Kareem McKenzie to a bruised back against Dallas. He was joined on the sideline by, of all people, line judge Jeff Seaman. He pulled a hamstring in the second quarter and referee Jeff Triplette's crew worked the rest of the game with six officials.

Redskins wide receiver James Thrash, starting because of a heel injury to Santana Moss, had five catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-25 loss to Philadelphia. But Thrash left in the fourth quarter after hurting his left ankle and was on crutches in the locker room.

Washington also lost safety Sean Taylor to a knee injury and played without linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring).

The Raiders were also banged up on defense, playing without top cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Fabian Washington. Asomugha injured his knee and Washington hurt his calf in last week's game against Houston. Both were listed as questionable this week, but were unable to play.

The Dolphins added injury to insult while blowing a fourth-quarter lead against Buffalo that kept them winless through nine games.

Defensive end Jason Taylor left early in the third quarter of the 13-10 loss with an ankle injury, and fellow defensive lineman Matt Roth left in the second quarter with a groin injury.

Taylor returned to action only briefly and said afterward he wasn't sure about the severity of the injury.

"Anybody that knows me or has been around me knows I'll keep going no matter what it is," Taylor said. "I just couldn't do it today."

Buffalo lost cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas to a groin injury in the fourth quarter. The Bills said it could be serious.

The Ravens played without starting cornerbacks Chris McAlister (knee) and Samari Rolle (illness) in their 21-7 loss to Cincinnati, and lost cornerback Corey Ivy to a concussion.