PRO FOOTBALL: Texans’ Williams fractures vertebra

Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams fractured a vertebra Friday night and is facing spinal surgery after being hit in the head during a collision with a teammate in a road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Williams temporarily lost movement in his arms and legs but later “regained almost normal neurologic function” after being taken from the field on a stretcher and hospitalized, Texans team physician Dr. Walter Lowe said in a statement.

Williams was expected to have surgery today to fuse two vertebrae. The operation was to be performed by Dr. Drew Dossett, one of the Dallas Cowboys’ team physicians who is a nationally recognized spine surgeon.

Williams, who was trying to make a tackle on a kickoff return by the Cowboys, was face down on the field when the play ended.

Saturday’s games

> Jets 10, Giants 7: Giants Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora was carted off the field with a knee injury in the second quarter, overshadowing a first-half quarterback duel between Brett Favre and Eli Manning. X-rays were negative, but further examinations are planned today. Favre finished 9-of-12 for 96 yards. Manning was 10-of-17 for 113 yards.

> Panthers 47, Redskins 3: Jason Taylor left with a knee sprain in the second quarter and the Redskins unraveled against the host Panthers’ 1-2 punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The running backs combined for 201 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Delhomme threw for two scores.

> Dolphins 24, Chiefs 0: Ted Ginn Jr. had a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught three passes to lead host Miami. Chad Pennington, cut by the Jets to make room for Brett Favre, went 11-for-15 for 94 yards.

> Lions 26, Browns 6: Kevin Smith had a 35-yard TD run and backup Dave Rayner made four field goals for host Detroit. Brady Quinn was 14-of-24 for 106 yards without a pass longer than 16 yards in his first NFL start. Detroit’s Roy Williams had three receptions for 61 yards.

> Saints 13, Bengals 0: The visiting Saints sacked Carson Palmer three times in the first half, knocking him out of the game with a bloody nose and a cut lip. Drew Brees was 14-of-22 for 199 yards and one touchdown before leaving in the first half.

> Steelers 12, Vikings 10: The host Vikings held Pittsburgh’s starting offense to three points before the Steelers rallied after halftime. Jeff Reed kicked four field goals, the last with 4 seconds left. Byron Leftwich played the entire second half and drove Pittsburgh into position for Reed’s winning kick.

> Jaguars 23, Buccaneers 17: Host Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia completed 11 of 18 passes for 79 yards, including a 10-yard TD throw to Michael Clayton on his final play. He also threw two interceptions.

> Chargers: Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman says he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.