Patriots lose Welker

HOUSTON (AP) — New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker injured his left knee in the first quarter of Sunday’s game in Houston and the team said he will not return.

Welker caught a pass from Tom Brady on New England’s first possession and his knee appeared to buckle as he turned upfield. Trainers helped Welker off the field and he was taken to the locker room on a cart.

Welker entered the game with 122 catches for 1,336 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Brady started despite a rib injury. A Patriots spokesman said he was not aware of Brady having broken ribs, despite a CBS Sports report.

Packers’ Woodson leaves game with shoulder injury

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson left Sunday’s game against Arizona late in the first half with a shoulder injury.

The injury came one possession after Woodson returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. He broke the Packers record with his eighth defensive touchdown — seven interception returns and one fumble return — since coming to the team in 2006.

Woodson’s interception was his career-best ninth of the season and 45th of his career.

On the Clock

The St. Louis Rams clinched the No. 1 overall pick with a 28-6 loss to the 49ers. St. Louis has the No. 1 pick for the first time since 1997, when it traded up to get seven-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace.

The Rams drafted second last season and selected Pace’s replacement, offensive tackle Jason Smith.

Source tells AP: Redskins will fire Zorn today

SAN DIEGO — The Washington Redskins plan to fire coach Jim Zorn on Monday, an official within the NFL told The AP.

The Redskins planned to make the move on the day after the end of a disappointing regular season. Washington struggled early despite a weak schedule and finished 4-12 after losing 23-20 in Sunday’s finale against the Chargers.

“I would not even comment on that,” Zorn said after Sunday’s game. “There are a lot of things, I’m sure, out there as far as stories. There already has been. So I get that. I’m working on our team meeting, our offseason schedule, and until I’m told that I’m on any other effort, I’m getting ready.”

Tags: sports, nfl, football, injuries