Emmitt Smith hurt in homecoming game

Arizona running back Emmitt Smith hardly had a chance to play against his former Dallas Cowboys teammates Sunday.

The NFL's career rushing leader left early in the second quarter with a sprained left shoulder and finished with the least productive game of his career. X-rays were negative, but he did not return after halftime.

The homecoming ended with Smith losing 1 yard on six carries. He also caught two passes for 2 yards as the Cowboys beat the Cardinals 24-7.

"Every player wants to play four quarters, play his best and do everything possible to help his team win," Smith said. "I wasn't able to do that today."

Smith was hit hard every time he touched the ball, and was crushed at the line by Cowboys safety Roy Williams on his last carry. On the game's first play, Smith was buried in the backfield by defensive tackle La'Roi Glover for a 4-yard loss.

Smith signed with the Cardinals last spring after being released by the Cowboys. He spent 13 seasons in Dallas, breaking Walter Payton's rushing mark last October, and was part of three Super Bowl championships.

Dallas guard Larry Allen, a seven-time Pro Bowler while blocking for Smith, left the game late in the first half with a sprained left knee.

In Orchard Park, N.Y., receiver Eric Moulds injured his groin and had to be assisted off the field after helping lead the Buffalo Bills to a 22-16 overtime victory over Cincinnati.

Moulds described the injury as "a slight pull," adding that he hopes to play next weekend when the Bills travel to play the New York Jets.

"I think after some ice, I'll be OK," Moulds said. "I've had a hamstring pull before and I had a groin pull early in college. But hopefully it's slight, and not that really serious."

Moulds was hurt on the game-winning drive. After coming down with a 28-yard reception at the Bengals 7, Moulds was tackled by Kevin Kaesviharn and tumbled awkwardly along the sideline. Kaesviharn was called for a major facemask penalty in bringing down Moulds.

Moulds was on his back and appeared to cover his eyes with his hands. He remained there as Travis Henry scored two plays later on a 2-yard plunge.

Moulds walked gingerly and needed help from two teammates to make it up the tunnel to the locker room.

In the same game, Cincinnati cornerback Jeff Burris was taken off the field in an ambulance after injuring his neck in the third quarter. Burris was not taken to the hospital, and the Bengals said Burris' neck was being iced and he will be fine.

Burris was hurt when he rammed Bills fullback Sam Gash shoulder-first attempting to make the tackle.

New York Giants kicker Matt Bryant pulled his right hamstring kicking a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the first half in a 23-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Bryant grabbed his right leg even before the kick easily split the uprights, cutting the Dolphins' lead to 13-10.

As players walked off the field, Giants trainers attended to Bryant. He had to be taken off the field on a golf cart.

The Packers had several injuries on defense: Gilbert Brown (knee); Joe Johnson (triceps); Na'il Diggs (knee); Chukie Nwokorie (knee); and Paris Lenon (knee). OL Mike Wahle (knee).

In other injuries: Tennessee cornerback Samari Rolle left the game against New England in the second quarter with a dislocated elbow; Miami linebacker Junior Seau pulled a hamstring late in the game; and San Francisco linebacker Jeff Ulbrich left the game against the Detroit Lions with a concussion.