Sports > Lions Lose Garcia in Only Preseason Win

Lions Win Their Only Preseason Game, but Lose Backup Quarterback Jeff Garcia to Leg Injury

Detroit Lions quarterback Jeff Garcia is carted off the field after he was injured during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

Garcia was hurt on the final play of the first quarter, a 23-yard run. As he was beginning to slide, he caught his left foot on the turf as he was hit across the neck by cornerback Terrence McGee.

After lying on the field for several minutes, Garcia was unable to put any weight on the foot as he was helped onto a cart and driven to the team's locker room, where X-rays showed Garcia broke his fibula. The team also fears he severely sprained his ankle.

"We'll just keep our fingers crossed," coach Steve Mariucci said.

"It is frustrating and disappointing, but I will be back," Garcia promised. "I'm going to be positive and try to get myself healthy so I can help this team."

Detroit's backups to the inconsistent Harrington, who sat out Friday night's game with a groin problem, are rookie fifth-round pick Dan Orlovsky and rookie undrafted free agent Todd Mortensen.

Garcia, a seven-year veteran, signed with Detroit as a free agent in March. He was with Cleveland last year after several Pro Bowl seasons in San Francisco.

Harrington, expected to return to practice on Monday, was shaken by Garcia's injury.

"I feel terrible for the guy. I'm frustrated as a teammate and a friend," Harrington said. "I just hope he's feeling better soon."

Shawn Bryson and Artose Pinner rushed for touchdowns and safety Terrence Holt, on a lateral from Dre' Bly, returned an interception for a score for Detroit (1-3).

"Their effort was outstanding," Mariucci said. "It's as good a fourth preseason game as I've been around."

The Bills (2-2), particularly first-year starter J.P. Losman, struggled.

"Things never go as planned. You always have to roll with it," Losman said. "I'm about as ready as I'm going to get. However ready that is, we'll find out. I don't have the answers for you. Nobody does."

Elsewhere Friday night as the preseason ended, it was St. Louis 27, Kansas City 23; Minnesota 23, Seattle 21; Cincinnati 38, Indianapolis 0; and Denver 30, Arizona 21.

Rams 27, Chiefs 23

At St. Louis, Ryan Fitzpatrick, a rookie from Harvard, appeared to help his shot at the third-string quarterback job with the Rams.

The Rams (3-1) played on three days rest and Fitzpatrick was 12-for-22 for 195 yards, one interception and two touchdowns, including the 20-yard winner to Dane Looker with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter. His quarterback rating was 95.8.

Jonathan Quinn, signed just 10 days earlier, played all but the last series for Kansas City as Trent Green, Todd Collins and Damon Huard all nursed injuries. Quinn was 13-for-20 for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His quarterback rating was 74.4.

Kansas City (0-4) has lost six straight preseason games since beating the Rams 24-7 on Aug. 23, 2004.

Vikings 23, Seahawks 21

At Seattle, Paul Edinger knuckled through a 35-yard field goal on the last play of the game, after backup quarterback Shaun Hill completed a 44-yard pass to Ryan Hoag on fourth-and-16 with 1:27 left. Edinger also had field goals of 43 and 48 yards for Minnesota (3-1).

Daunte Culpepper led the Vikings on two long drives in the first quarter, the second resulting in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by the big quarterback.

Rookie Marquis Weeks scored on a 1-yard run with 11:28 left to put Seattle (2-2) ahead 21-17. Reserve fullback Leonard Weaver had a 31-yard TD run in the third quarter for the Seahawks.

Bengals 38, Colts 0

At Cincinnati, the winless Colts rested their entire starting offense and all but two players on defense.

Carson Palmer led the Bengals (2-2) to touchdowns on their first two drives, going 6-of-7 for 107 yards. Cincinnati scored on its first three possessions, piling up a 256-16 advantage in yards.

The Bengals had 346 yards at halftime, setting up their most lopsided preseason win since a 45-0 drubbing of Tampa Bay in 1977.

The Colts (0-5) finished their first winless preseason since 1990, but coach Tony Dungy didn't seem to mind, resting just about every key player.

Broncos 30, Cardinals 21

At Tempe, Ariz., the Broncos became the only undefeated team in preseason at 4-0. Even though none of their starters played, the Broncos won behind Bradlee Van Pelt's three touchdown passes.

Van Pelt, a second-year pro from Colorado State who won the No. 2 quarterback job behind Jake Plummer, completed 16 of 26 passes for 129 yards. Two of the scoring passes went to Darius Watts and the other to Todd Devoe.

Tatum Bell rushed for 78 yards in eight carries for the Broncos.

Arizona finished 3-1.

2005-09-03