Denver Broncos starting safety Quinton Carter hurt his neck and did not return to the Broncos' 45-10 loss to the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game.
The Broncos already were without their other starting safety, Brian Dawkins, who missed Saturday night's game with a neck injury.
Carter, a rookie from Oklahoma, intercepted a pass from Tom Brady on New England's third series and returned it 17 yards to the Patriots 24-yard line with two minutes left in the first quarter. Four plays later, Willis McGahee scored on a 5-yard run that cut the Patriots' lead to 14-7.
Safety David Bruton left the game in third quarter with a concussion and did not return. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley also had a concussion in the third quarter and did not return.
For the Patriots, tight end Aaron Hernandez suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
