National Football League

Steelers lose Pouncey, Foote in opener

Published Sep. 9, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The first Sunday of the NFL season was a costly one for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey ripped up his right knee and linebacker Larry Foote ruptured his biceps during Pittsburgh's 16-9 home loss to Tennessee, likely sidelining both players for the rest of the season.

''Nobody cares about our problems,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. ''They're glad we've got them. We need to understand that. We need to stick together and persevere.

The Giants and Cowboys each lost a prominent cornerback during their Sunday night showdown. New York's Prince Amukamara sustained a concussion in the first half and Morris Claiborne of Dallas was forced out in the third quarter with a shoulder problem. Claiborne later returned to the game.

Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles and Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert each departed the Chiefs' 28-2 victory due to injuries.

Charles left in the third - after getting sandwiched by linebackers Geno Hayes and Paul Posluszny - and returned for two carries before calling it a day in the fourth. He had 77 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries before the quadriceps injury.

''He did go back in for a play after he got stepped on, then we pulled him out,'' Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. ''It was a quad and you don't mess with those. I think he's going to be OK.''

Gabbert cut the back of his right hand on a defender's facemask in the closing minutes and needed 15 stitches. He threw two interceptions while playing with a hairline fracture in his right thumb.

Carolina lost starting right guard Garry Williams to a left knee injury in the first quarter of a 12-7 loss to Seattle, and Detroit finished a 34-24 victory against Minnesota without Jason Fox after the offensive tackle departed with a groin injury.

''It doesn't look good,'' Panthers coach Ron Rivera said about Williams' injury.

With Williams out, Carolina rotated Chris Scott, Travelle Wharton and Jeff Byers in at the two guard spots. Corey Hilliard replaced Fox for the Lions.

New Orleans got a big 23-17 victory against Atlanta, but lost three defenders due to injuries. Coach Sean Payton did not provide an update on nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley (right leg), defensive end Tyrunn Walker (left leg) and cornerback Patrick Robinson (undisclosed leg injury) after the game.

Buffalo coach Doug Marrone also did not provide any information on wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who did not return after hurting his right hand late in the first half of the Bills' 23-21 loss to the Patriots.

Miami cornerback Dimitri Patterson and Indianapolis tight end Dwayne Allen each had a nice day before leaving their respective games with injuries.

Patterson had two of the Dolphins' three interceptions in a 23-10 victory at Cleveland. But he departed in the second half with a groin injury.

Allen caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck in the second quarter of the Colts' 21-17 win against Oakland. It was his only reception of the game; he left in the second half due to a hip injury.