18 seconds ago 2009-12-10T07:16:03-08:00
CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) – Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry underwent season-ending surgery on Monday on his broken left forearm, a key setback for a National Football League title contender.
Henry was injured on Sunday on his only reception in a 17-7 victory over Baltimore that moved the Bengals to 6-2 and first in the AFC North ahead of next Sunday's showdown at Pittsburgh against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Henry, who had missed several games with a thigh injury, made a catch and landed on his back while Ravens defender Fabian Washington tackled him and fell upon his arm.
"He was excited to play. I don't know that I've ever seen him that excited to play," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "It's unfortunate. You could tell he felt good after the time off and getting his legs back under him."
The Bengals had dropped Henry after his fifth arrest, which followed the 2007 season, but owner Mike Brown reversed himself and signed Henry to a new two-year contract a few months later.
Henry had 12 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Another season-ending blow was received by the Carolina Panthers, who lost linebacker Thomas Davis to a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament.
Davis was backpedaling and stopped to pivot when his knee gave way and he fell to the field in the fourth quarter of a loss to unbeaten New Orleans, one that dropped the Panthers to 3-5 on the season.
"He was playing at a high level," Panthers coach John Fox said. "It's unfortunate and I feel bad for him."
