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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:41 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 2008

NFL: Browns, Broncos see injury bug strike again

Associated Press

The Browns lost another quarterback, the Broncos lost another running back — and both teams lost games, though that's nothing new in Cleveland.

Ken Dorsey, who was only playing because of season-ending injuries to Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, sustained a mild concussion and injured ribs in the fourth quarter of the Browns' 14-0 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals today.

Dorsey was replaced by recently signed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who may have to start the Browns' season finale against Pittsburgh.

Not that Dorsey was having a day to remember. He was 10-of-17 for 68 yards and three interceptions, one of which Bengals cornerback Leon Hall returned 50 yards for a touchdown midway through the opening quarter.

The Broncos know something about injuries decimating a position, too.

P.J. Pope became the sixth tailback to start in the Broncos' battered backfield — and he went to the sideline in the first quarter with a tight left hamstring. Selvin Young came in and carried the load until leaving with a pinched nerve in his neck late in the third quarter, leaving Tatum Bell as the only healthy ball carrier.

The Broncos' 30-23 loss to Buffalo means they head to San Diego next week with the AFC West title and a playoff berth on the line in an all-or-nothing game.

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch hurt his shoulder in the second half, but Fred Jackson filled in admirably.

Elsewhere, chronically injured Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey caught five passes for 37 yards before hurting his right ankle in the first half of a 42-7 rout of the woeful Lions.

Shockey, who is second on the team with 50 receptions, did not return.

St. Louis running back Steven Jackson injured his left hamstring and spent time on the training table during the Rams' 17-16 loss to San Francisco.

Jackson still wound up with 108 yards on 32 carries.

The Vikings sorely missed big defensive tackle Pat Williams, who was out of their 24-17 loss to Atlanta with a fractured shoulder — ending his consecutive games streak at 101.

Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison hurt his right hip early in the first quarter against Tennessee. He came back to get a sack for his 16th of the season, setting a Pittsburgh record, in a 31-14 loss to the Titans.

Raiders Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha left the game against Houston in the fourth quarter with a sore neck. Oakland went on to win, 27-16.