NFL Injuries this Week: Chandler sidelined

Monday, Oct. 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The Houston Oilers lost quarterback Chris Chandler in an unusual sideline collision with the opposing coach Sunday.

Chandler was injured with 1:13 remaining in the first half. Attempting to run for a first down, he tumbled out of bounds into Atlanta coach June Jones, prompting a sarcastic cheer from the small crowd at the Georgia Dome.

Jones landed hard on his head and left shoulder, but he was OK. Chandler, however, limped off to the locker room with a pulled groin muscle, and Steve McNair went the rest of the way for the Oilers.

Chandler is questionable for next week's game against Pittsburgh at the Astrodome. Coach Jeff Fisher said it would likely be late in the week before he knows if his quarterback can play.

New York Jets center David Alexander was lost for the year when he sprained his left knee early in the second quarter at Jacksonville. The Jets already were missing six starters because of injuries, and 11 starters have missed a combined 16 games.

"It is getting to the point of almost lunacy," Alexander said.

Ravens defensive end Dan Footman fractured his right forearm and the other starting defensive end, Rob Burnett, was lost in the second quarter with a sprained right knee.

Indianapolis fullback Zack Crockett injured a knee during pregame warmups and did not play. Defensive lineman Tony McCoy sprained his right ankle late in the game against Baltimore.

Chicago lost guard Todd Burger with a pulled groin and New Orleans lost safety Sean Lumpkin with a strained hamstring.

Arizona center Mike Devlin sprained his right knee early in the second quarter.

St. Louis cornerback Torin Dorn was knocked woozy in a head-on collision with linebacker Roman Phifer while they were converging to make a tackle. Dorn spent several minutes on the ground before walking to the bench with the help of two trainers. He stayed on the bench for the rest of the game at Carolina.

Houston kick returner Mel Gray suffered a dislocated finger on his right hand trying to recover a fumbled punt in the fourth quarter.

Guard Brenden Stai of the Steelers hurt his left arm during a pileup and was assisted off the field. He was to undergo an MRI test.

Bucs receiver Robb Thomas was taken to the locker room in the fourth quarter to receive intravenous treatment for cramps and returned. Minnesota's Corey Fuller also returned in the fourth quarter after leaving the game because of cramps at Tampa.

St. Louis rookie quarterback Tony Banks took a number of hard hits in the pocket. The last one came on a blitz by Chad Cota late in the third quarter and sent Banks to the bench for the rest of the afternoon with a bruised throwing elbow.

Giants injuries included Keith Elias and Keith Hamilton with ankle sprains and Tyrone Wheatley with a sprained knee.