Matt Leinart sprained his left shoulder late in the first half of the Arizona Cardinals' game against San Francisco yesterday, ending the quarterback's strong rookie season one game early.

Leinart was hurt when Roderick Green sacked him on third down during a drive that ended in Neil Rackers' 39-yard field goal with 1:57 left in the second quarter. Leinart went to the locker room after the hit, and returned to the sideline in street clothes as Kurt Warner finished off the Cardinals' 26-20 victory.

Though the injury apparently isn't serious, Arizona coach Dennis Green said Leinart will be shelved for the season finale at San Diego next Sunday. Leinart won't need surgery, but is scheduled for an MRI exam Wednesday.

"It hurts pretty good, but it's nothing serious, so that's a good thing," said Leinart, who was told such injuries require about four weeks to heal. "Nothing popped, nothing tore. There were no noises. I just fell on it hard."

Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner from USC, was outstanding against the 49ers, going 9 for 13 for 162 yards with a touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald as Arizona took a 20-3 lead.

Leinart has passed for 2,547 yards and 11 TDs this season despite sitting out most of the Cardinals' first four games. Arizona won four of its last six games under Leinart, but is out of playoff contention after an eight-game losing streak early in the season.

BEARS

Chicago starting fullback Jason McKie injured his ankle yesterday on the opening possession against Detroit and did not return.

McKie has 23 receptions for 155 yards and 18 yards rushing on eight carries. He signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears last month as a key blocker for Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson.

The Bears (13-2) could keep McKie out of the regular-season finale against Green Bay with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs already clinched, resting him for their first playoff game next month.

GIANTS

Chad Morton of the New York Giants suffered a major knee injury covering a punt against the New Orleans Saints yesterday.

Morton tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while attempting to make a tackle on Reggie Bush. He had to be helped off the field.

A seven-year veteran, Morton set up a Saints field goal in the first quarter by muffing a punt.

SEAHAWKS

Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant was helped off the field early in the third quarter yesterday against San Diego with an apparent right ankle injury.

Trufant was hurt during a 21-yard run by San Diego's Michael Turner. Turner was brought down when Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu dived and grabbed his ankles. As he tackled Turner, Tatupu rolled into Trufant's right foot.

He was later taken to the locker room on a cart for X-rays and did not return.

REDSKINS

Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs broke a shoulder blade in the first quarter of yesterday's game against the St. Louis Rams.

Springs, in his 10th season, was sidelined for the first five games of the season following abdominal surgery and missed a sixth game with a hamstring injury. It was unclear how Springs sustained his latest injury.

VIKINGS

The Minnesota Vikings have told receiver Marcus Robinson he is being released, Robinson's agent told The Associated Press yesterday.

Agent Ken Sarnoff confirmed a newspaper report that the 10-year veteran will be released. A Vikings spokesman also confirmed the story and said the team would have no further comment.

Robinson was cut with one game left in the season. Because he is a vested veteran, he already has his $2 million salary for the season guaranteed.