NFC

Two Central Division rivals were got bad news on the injury front on Monday.

An MRI revealed that Green Bay Packer running back Dorsey Levens fractured the fibula above his right ankle during Sunday’s 23-15 victory against Tampa Bay. The Packers did not give a definitive prognosis as to how long Levens would be sidelined.

Levens’ likely replacement next week at Cincinnati would be Travis Jervey or Raymont Harris, who was inactive the first two games.

The Minnesota Vikings announced that quarterback Brad Johnson will be out at least a month because of a broken bone in his right knee.

Johnson suffered what was believed to be a sprained right ankle in the fourth quarter of a 38-31 victory over St. Louis, but X-rays revealed that Johnson had an fracture of the right fibula.

Randall Cunningham, who threw the decisive 19-yard touchdown pass to Cris Carter with 2:09 left against the Rams, will be the Vikings’ starter against Detroit.

Carter was hurt early in Sunday’s game, feared he might have a broken bone in his foot or ankle, but he never left the game. An MRI revealed only a strained extensor tendon and some signs of old ankle injuries. He is questionable for Sunday’s game.

If Carter does miss the game, it would end his streak of consecutive starts at 82, second only to Ahmad Rashad’s team-record 88.

*

Atlanta Falcons starting strong-side linebacker Henri Crockett underwent surgery to repair a dislocated left wrist and will be sidelined six to eight weeks.

Crockett, who suffered the injury in the first half of a 17-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, became a starter at right outside linebacker last year after incumbent David Brandon broke his leg four games into the season. Craig Sauer will replace Crockett.

*

Rae Carruth, thought to have sprained his right foot in a season-opening loss to Atlanta, actually has a broken bone. Carruth, who led the Panthers’ wide receivers with 44 receptions last year, was scheduled for surgery today to have the fracture secured with a screw and is likely to miss four-to-six weeks.

Lamar Lathon, a mainstay at outside linebacker since the Panthers’ expansion season in 1995, has more knee problems and was scheduled for arthroscopic surgery today to clean out loose bodies in his right knee. The surgery is expected to sideline Lathon for three-to-four weeks.

Rocket Ismail will take Carruth’s spot in the lineup, and Greg Lloyd and Tarek Saleh will split Lathon’s duties.

AFC / No Decision on Raven Quarterback

Baltimore Raven Coach Ted Marchibroda refused to pick his starting quarterback for Sunday’s Central Division game against Jacksonville, adding fuel to a budding controversy.

Eric Zeier replaced an injured Jim Harbaugh for a second consecutive week, completing 13-of-20 passes for 173 yards and touchdown in a 24-10 victory over the New York Jets.

Harbaugh, a right-hander, has a sprained ligament in his right ring finger and tendinitis in his throwing elbow. Zeier, meanwhile, is hobbled himself because of a bruised right calf.

Citing the injuries, Marchibroda said he will defer his decision on picking a starter.

Safety Kim Herring, who separated a shoulder in the first quarter against the Jets, will miss three to four weeks. He will be replaced by eight-year veteran Corey Harris.

*

The Oakland Raiders came away from their win over the New York Giants with a couple of injuries. Safety Anthony Newman aggravated a groin injury and tackle Lincoln Kennedy did the same to his sore left shoulder.

Newman said he could play Sunday against Denver despite the injury.