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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, December 28, 2009

Panthers' Smith breaks arm


Associated Press

Steve Smith's season is over for the Carolina Panthers. The Miami Dolphins are hoping Ricky Williams isn't done as well.

Smith broke his left arm in the Panthers' 41-9 victory over the New York Giants yesterday. Carolina coach John Fox said the star wide receiver broke his radius and would have surgery today.

He appeared to be injured after catching a 27-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter. Smith finished the game with five catches for 60 yards, and the season with 65 catches for 982 yards and seven touchdowns.

Williams played only one snap after leaving the Dolphins' 27-20 loss to Houston when he injured his right shoulder on a carry in the third quarter. He returned to make a catch for 3 yards with 3 minutes left in the game, then again went to the sideline.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," he said.

Dolphins inside linebacker Channing Crowder also left with a right foot injury. Guard Justin Smiley came out in the fourth quarter with a knee injury, while Houston safety Dominique Barber (hamstring) left in the second half.

ELSEWHERE

Saints: New Orleans running back Pierre Thomas left an overtime loss to Tampa Bay with bruised ribs. The injury appeared to occur during the second quarter on a 26-yard run. After being looked at by trainers on the sideline, Thomas went back in, but team officials said in the second half that he would sit out the remainder of the game.

Bengals: Cincinnati rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga broke his left ankle late in the first quarter against Kansas City. Maualuga limped to the sideline, then was put on a cart and taken for an exam that found the fracture. He has started every game.

Falcons: Tony Gonzalez, four catches from 1,000, left Atlanta's rout of Buffalo late in the first half with a right calf injury. The Falcons also lost punter Michael Koenen to a head injury in the third quarter, and kicker Matt Bryant was limited by a hamstring injury.

HAWAI'I PLAYERS IN THE NFL

• Miami receiver Davone Bess (University of Hawai'i) had 5 receptions for 45 yards and 1 punt return for 8 yards in a loss to Houston.

• Indianapolis safety Aaron Francisco (Kahuku High) had 4 solo tackles in a loss to the Jets.

• Cleveland linebacker Kaluka Maiava (Baldwin High) had 2 solo tackles in a victory over Oakland.

• Dallas' Mat McBriar (UH) had 3 punts for an average of 51.3 yards, including a long of 60, in a victory over Washington. All three were downed inside the 20.

• San Francisco defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (UH) had 2 assisted tackles in a victory over Detroit.