FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots' quest for a second perfect regular season came to an end Sunday night with a 30-24 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. What's worse, tight end Rob Gronkowski was injured late in the game, putting a scare into a team that had already lost many of Tom Brady's offensive weapons.
Gronkowski has been one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history -- when he's on the field. He was knocked out with season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons in 2012-13, and Sunday night's hit appeared as if it could do so again.
Gronkowski remained on the turf, writhing in pain, after taking a hit on the right knee from Denver defensive back Darian Stewart with 2:49 left in regulation. The big tight end needed help to get to a cart, which carried him off the field.
But after the game he was seen walking with only a slight limp, and reports Monday indicated he only suffered a bruised knee.
Gronkowski joins a list of injured that already included running back Dion Lewis, receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, and a slew of offensive linemen.
Cowboys believe Romo
has 'lot of football left'
IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett believes Tony Romo's broken left collarbone will heal and that the quarterback still has plenty of games to play in the future.
While the 35-year-old Romo is done for the season after breaking his collarbone for the second time this year, Garrett said Monday that he believes Romo "has a lot of football left in him."
Garrett said Monday that Romo will remain involved with the team while rehabbing.
Despite their 3-8 record, the Cowboys are only two games behind NFC East co-leaders Washington and the New York Giants. Both are 5-6.
Dallas plays two of its remaining five games against the Redskins, and split their games with the Giants.
Kelly denies
meeting with USC
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly denied reports that the University of Southern California met with him to discuss its coaching vacancy before the school hired interim coach Clay Helton on Monday.
Kelly, in his third year with the Eagles after a very successful run in the Pac-12 with Oregon, addressed the issue at his regularly scheduled news conference.
"I have never spoken to anybody from USC. I have never emailed anybody from USC," Kelly said, "I never had a phone call with anybody from USC. I never had any contact with anybody from USC."
The coach said his agent did not, either.
Dolphins fire
OC Lazor
DAVIE, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has been fired, and Zac Taylor will become the team's primary play-caller.
The move by interim coach Dan Campbell came Monday after the Dolphins lost 38-20 to the New York Jets. The Dolphins (4-7) were shut out in the first half and have scored less than 21 points in each of their past five games.
Lazor was in his second season with the Dolphins. Taylor is in his fourth year in Miami and will remain the quarterbacks coach.
The Dolphins rank 27th in the NFL in offensive points at 18.5 points per game. They're next to last in third-down conversion at 28 percent.
DL Carrington
placed on IR
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have placed defensive lineman Alex Carrington on season-ending injured reserve.
Arkansas State graduate Carrington joins a growing list of injured Buffalo players after he hurt his left quadriceps in a 30-22 loss at Kansas City on Sunday.
Carrington was starting in place of Kyle Williams (left knee) and Mario Williams (foot). Kyle Williams is expected to be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
As for Mario Williams, Coach Rex Ryan said it's too early to determine whether the team's top pass-rushing threat can play against Houston on Sunday.
Ryan said starting linebacker Nigel Bradham has a sprained right ankle which will likely prevent him from playing against Houston.
Backup running back Karlos Williams' status is uncertain after he hurt his left shoulder.
Sports on 12/01/2015