Injury Sidelines Strahan for Season

Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan of the New York Giants is expected to have surgery Wednesday for a torn chest muscle and is out for the season.

Strahan, the NFL’s all-time season sacks leader, was injured while trying to tackle Anthony Thomas in the third quarter of the Giants’ 28-21 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Strahan was not immediately available for comment.

The Giants also learned that their other starting defensive end, Keith Washington, tore a knee ligament against the Bears and also is out for the season.

“On the field, our players look to [Strahan] for inspiration,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “Actions inspire. What the average person doesn’t see is what a leader Michael is in the locker room and in the weight room when nobody is watching.”

Strahan has played in 137 consecutive regular-season games.

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The Kansas City Chiefs learned that running back Priest Holmes has strained ligaments in his right knee and might not play Sunday against New Orleans.

Holmes left the Chiefs’ game against Tampa Bay with about four minutes left in the third quarter.

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An MRI exam revealed that New York Jet quarterback Chad Pennington has a strained rotator cuff and will be sidelined two to four weeks.

Pennington was injured in the first quarter of the Jets’ 22-17 loss to Buffalo, but kept playing until his arm stiffened in the fourth quarter.

Former Dallas Cowboy starter Quincy Carter will replace Pennington.

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Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Byron Leftwich probably will sit out two games because of a sprained left knee.

Leftwich was re-evaluated Monday and doctors determined there was no need for surgery. But he will remain in a brace and on crutches this week.

Coach Jack Del Rio said there was a slight chance Leftwich could return Nov. 21 against Tennessee, but he basically expects Leftwich back Nov. 28 at Minnesota.

Backup David Garrard will make his second career start Sunday against Detroit.

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Seattle cornerback Ken Lucas was released from a San Francisco hospital, where he was kept overnight after suffering a bruised lung in the Seahawks’ 42-27 victory over the 49ers.

Coach Mike Holmgren said Lucas’ playing status for Sunday against St. Louis is uncertain.

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Tampa Bay center John Wade dislocated his left knee against the Chiefs and will sit out the rest of the season....Cleveland offensive guard Kelvin Garmon and defensive back Leigh Bodden are out for the season. Both were injured against Baltimore. Garmon tore knee ligaments and Bodden tore a chest muscle.