Week 5 was a nasty one for injuries. Let's get to all the next-day carnage.
- Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing left Monday night's victory over the New York Jets with a left knee injury after he was chop blocked by Jets guard Matt Slauson. Cushing will have an MRI on Tuesday, but the Houston Chronicle reported that the team fears a torn ACL.
- Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey has been cleared for contact. He's ready to return to the field after his nasty concussion suffered two weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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- Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was not feeling any post-concussion symptoms on Monday following a 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Mike Shanahan was optimistic Griffin could return this week, but the rookie still has to run through the usual battery of tests.
- Shanahan also announced that safety Brandon Meriweather (knee) was likely to miss four more weeks.
- Green Bay Packers running back Cedric Benson (foot) will miss Week 6. Tight end Jermichael Finley (shoulder) and nose tackle B.J. Raji (ankle) are more up in the air. All three were injured in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
- Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (calf) won't face the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. It sounds like linebacker Lamarr Woodley (hamstring) is unlikely to play, too.
- The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey could miss 4 to 6 weeks with a fractured right hand.
- Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel suffered a concussion during Sunday's 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Romeo Crennel wouldn't name Brady Quinn the starter just yet, but he came very close.
- Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams is out for the season. LaRod Stephens-Howling is the expected starter with Beanie Wells on injured reserve and designated to return late in year. The Cardinals already were skewing pass-wacky. This won't help.
- The Titans will start Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback in place of Jake Locker (shoulder) on Thursday night. They got good news with backup running back Javon Ringer, who is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a knee sprain. It looked like Ringer could be out for the season.
- Cincinnati Bengals backup running back Bernard Scott (ACL) is out for the season. The Bengals will rely on BenJarvus Green-Ellis to carry the load. He's not suited to be a primary back.
- Buffalo Bills backup defensive end Mark Anderson underwent an MRI for a knee injury during Sunday's 45-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
