The NFL’s reigning MVP left Sunday’s 17-10 victory over Kansas City midway through the first quarter with an injured left knee after being hit on a throw. There was no immediate word on the extent of Brady’s injury — “I am not sure what we are dealing with,” coach Bill Belichick said — or how long he would be out.
“It kind of looked bad,” wide receiver Randy Moss said.
Various reports Sunday night said Belichick told the players that the injury was serious. The Patriots were already looking for a possible replacement for Brady. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that former Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms was coming in Monday for a physical.
Brady went to the locker room and wasn’t seen again as backup Matt Cassel led the Patriots to the victory. Cassel, who had thrown just 39 passes in his first three seasons, could see a lot more action if Brady is sidelined next week — or beyond.
“They’re looking at him, doing some tests on him, so I don’t have any information there,” Belichick said, cracking a smile as he added, “doubt anybody’s interested.”
Cassel went 13-for-18 for 152 yards and one touchdown.
Kansas City also had its own quarterback woes.
Damon Huard took over for the Chiefs after Brodie Croyle left with a bruised shoulder late in the third quarter.
Titans 17, Jaguars 10
The Titans also aren’t sure if they’ll be without their quarterback for any time. Vince Young was on crutches at Nashville after spraining his left knee late in their win.
Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said his quarterback will have tests to determine the severity of the injury, but added that Young’s knee appeared to ease up in the locker room.
The Titans sacked David Garrard seven times and Cortland Finnegan intercepted him twice in the season opener between the AFC’s two wild cards in 2007.
Jets 20, Dolphins 14
At Miami, Brett Favre made a successful debut, throwing for two touchdowns six months after calling it a career in Green Bay before changing his mind.
Favre’s new start with the Jets had a happy ending thanks to two late stands by New York’s defense. Dwight Lowery batted away a fourth-down pass in the end zone with 9 minutes left, and Darrelle Revis intercepted Chad Pennington — again in the end zone — with 5 seconds left.
Panthers 26, Chargers 24
Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dante Rosario as time expired in San Diego, capping a desperation drive for the win.
After Philip Rivers rallied San Diego with his third TD pass of the game, Delhomme moved the Panthers to the San Diego 14 with 2 seconds left before calling his final timeout. Delhomme dropped back on fourth down and found Rosario in the back of the end zone.
Cowboys 28, Browns 10
Terrell Owens caught a 35-yard touchdown pass, Tony Romo picked apart Cleveland’s secondary, and Marion Barber scored on a pair of 1-yard runs for the Cowboys.
With Romo completing 24 of 32 passes for 320 yards, Dallas’ offense controlled the clock and strung together four long touchdown drives at Cleveland.
Bears 29, Colts 13
Matt Forte ran for 123 yards and one touchdown in his NFL debut, and Kyle Orton committed no turnovers to help Chicago beat Indianapolis in the first regular-season game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Two-time league MVP Peyton Manning didn’t look like himself in his first game since having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee in July. He went 30-of-49 for 257 yards with one TD.
Cardinals 23, 49ers 13
At San Francisco, Kurt Warner passed for 197 yards and led three monotonously effective drives in the second half for Arizona. Anquan Boldin had all of his eight catches for 82 yards in the second half of the Cardinals’ third straight opener against the 49ers, who beat them twice last year to ruin their playoff hopes.
Steelers 38, Texans 17
At Pittsburgh, Willie Parker ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns and a near-perfect Ben Roethlisberger threw two scoring passes to Hines Ward in a rout that began with Houston’s fourth-down failure on its opening possession.
Eagles 38, Rams 3
Donovan McNabb threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns, and rookie DeSean Jackson had an impressive debut at Philadelphia.
McNabb was 21-for-33, including a 90-yard TD pass to Hank Baskett. Jackson, the first Eagles rookie wide receiver to start a season opener in 18 years, had six catches for 106 yards and returned a punt 60 yards to set up a field goal.
Saints 24, Buccaneers 20
At New Orleans, Drew Brees passed for 343 yards and three touchdowns, giving fans already jubilant about the Saints’ quick return from Hurricane Gustav a triumph to celebrate as well.
Tampa Bay had a shot to win the brutally physical, back-and-forth contest until Scott Fujita intercepted Jeff Garcia’s fourth-down pass just inside the Saints 20 with less than 40 seconds to go.
Falcons 34, Lions 21
Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown on his first NFL pass, and Michael Turner set a team rushing record with 220 yards and two TDs in his Atlanta debut.
Bills 34, Seahawks 10
At Orchard Park, N.Y., Roscoe Parrish scored on a 63-yard punt return, and punter Brian Moorman completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to defensive end Ryan Denney on a fake field goal, sparking Buffalo to a dominating win.
Ravens 17, Bengals 10
At Baltimore, the Ravens forced two turnovers and limited the Bengals to 154 yards to make John Harbaugh a winner in his debut as an NFL coach.
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