Travis Benjamin's 79-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills on "Thursday Night Football" was one of the highlights of this wayward season for the Cleveland Browns. On Monday, we learned that Benjamin won't be around for the team's final eight games of 2013.
Browns coach Rob Chudzinski announced Monday that Benjamin, the Browns' punt returner, tore his ACL Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was seventh in the league in punt return average and caught five passes as a reserve receiver. The Browns need as much explosiveness as they can get, so this loss stings.
Making the news worse: Davone Bess will take over as the team's primary punt returner. Bess came to Cleveland with a reputation for smarts and great hands, but he's dropped a ton of passes all season. Bess also lost a fumble Sunday on a punt return with the Browns trailing by three in Kansas City.
Here are the other injury stories to know Monday:
- Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne has a soft tissue injury in his hamstring and likely will miss the "next couple of weeks," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday on KRLD-FM, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Claiborne suffered the injury in the loss to the Detroit Lions. Cowboys safety Barry Church also suffered a hamstring injury in the game, but Jones expects him back for this Sunday's contest against the Vikings.
- Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas left Sunday's win with an ankle injury and didn't return. Thomas said on Twitter that an MRI revealed it wasn't a high ankle sprain and he'll "be back soon."
- NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga suffered an MCL injury Sunday and likely is out three to four weeks. Rapoport also reported that Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu is still undergoing tests, but it sounds like he just jammed his shoulder Sunday. Sanu is day-to-day and could play Thursday night, when the Bengals visit the Miami Dolphins on NFL Network.
- Rapoport also confirmed that Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Gibson is out for the season with a torn patella tendon. Surgery is slated for Monday. NFL Media's Albert Breer first reported Gibson's injury Sunday.
- Lions defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah suffered an ankle injury Sunday, but a source who speaks to him regularly says he won't miss time, per Rapoport. The injury is considered minor and Ansah will have extra time to recover with the team on a bye week.
- New England Patriots right tackle Sebastian Vollmer had season-ending surgery on his broken right leg on Monday, Rapoport reported, siting a source informed of the player's plans.
- Lions coach Jim Schwartz said wide receiver Ryan Broyles will undergo surgery for a torn patella tendon Tuesday. Broyles has torn his ACL in each of the last two seasons. It's a heartbreaking setback for him.
- Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak indicated that Matt Schaub (ankle) is healthy enough to play, but Case Keenum will start at quarterback this week.
- Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly indicated that Michael Vick (hamstring) is unlikely to play this week. Nick Foles' status is uncertain, but it sounds like there's some optimism he'll be back.
*The latest "Around the League Podcast" has takeaways from every Week 8 game. *
