San Francisco quarterback Jeff Garcia missed much of the second half of the 49ers’ 20-10 win over Washington on Sunday with a stomach virus.
Garcia received intravenous fluids in the locker room at halftime and played just one series in the second half. Backup Tim Rattay, who had thrown just three passes in his first two seasons behind Garcia, filled in.
In the 48 hours before Sunday’s game, a stomach virus infected nearly a third of the 49ers. Before the game, the 49ers went through 20 bags of IV fluid and more between halves.
Moving intoPayton’s place
Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith broke Walter Payton’s NFL record for career rushing attempts with a 2-yard gain for his 3,849th carry in a 44-13 loss to the Eagles. He has 16,364 yards, 362 short of Payton’s record of 16,726.
“How can I be happy after a butt-whipping like that?” Smith said. “It’s like asking your kid to smile at you when you just had to spank him.”
Stopped short
Troy Brown of the Patriots had a shot at the NFL record for receptions in a game before a shot to his knee put him out for most of the fourth quarter and overtime against the Chiefs.
“I didn’t get the record. We won the game, so that’s even better,” Brown said after catching 16 passes for 176 yards.
The haul was a personal best for Brown and a franchise record for the Patriots, topping the 13 catches Terry Glenn caught against the Browns in 1999. The NFL record is 20, by Terrell Owens against the Bears in 2000.
Getting tricky
The Eagles had some tricks up their sleeves vs. Dallas: QB Donovan McNabb rolled right and pitched to rookie Brian Westbrook, who threw a tight spiral to Todd Pinkston on the run for Westbrook’s first NFL touchdown. “I just tried to get rid of the ball before they killed me,” Westbrook said.
Also, coach Andy Reid called a double reverse that resulted in a 32-yard run by James Thrash, and a fake field goal in which kicker David Akers ran 10 yards for a first down.
Movin’ on up
The Packers’ Brett Favre moved past Warren Moon for fourth on the NFL’s all-time passing TDs list with 294. He trails only John Elway (300), Fran Tarkenton (342) and Dan Marino (420).
Medical report
– The Broncos lost starting tailback Olandis Gary early with a sprained left ankle.
– Chargers linebacker Junior Seau sprained his right ankle, but he said it wasn’t serious.
– Chargers center Cory Raymer left with an injured left Achilles’ tendon.
– Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs sprained his foot.
Quotable
“We’re going to have to stick together, because everybody outside of the locker room is probably going to take shots at us and tell us how bad we are.”
–Jets QB Vinny Testaverde, who threw two interceptions against the Dolphins.
