Brutal Hit Sends NFL Player Off the Field on a Stretcher

CINCINNATI (AP) -- San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert sprained his neck and shoulder on a scary hit against the Cincinnati Bengals, but is expected to fully recover.

Tolbert put his head down and ran into the chest of safety Reggie Nelson during the first quarter of a 34-20 loss on Sunday. Tolbert fumbled and stayed face-down on the field, motionless for several minutes.

Doctors carefully rolled him onto a backboard, strapped him down and wheeled him off the field. He raised his right forearm and gave a thumbs-up sign to the applauding crowd.

Teammates said Tolbert was walking around the locker room after the game.

"He's doing fine," coach Norv Turner said. "He has a sprained shoulder and neck. He's got all the feeling back in his hands. He'll be all right."