EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora was carted off the field with a knee injury in the second quarter of the New York Giants' 10-7 preseason loss to the Jets last night.

The injury overshadowed a first-half quarterback duel between Brett Favre and Eli Manning that ended up being a penalty-filled snoozer.

The Giants said Umenyiora's left knee "locked up" with 10:48 left in the half on an incomplete pass by Favre on third down. He couldn't put any weight on the leg. X-rays were negative, but further examinations were planned today.

Brett Ratliff threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Paul Raymond with 6:08 remaining to put the Jets ahead. Drew Coleman's interception of Andre' Woodson with 1:06 left sealed the victory.

Favre, in his second start since being acquired from Green Bay, finished 9 of 12 for 96 yards and had a pretty touchdown pass negated by a penalty. Manning was 10 of 17 for 113 yards, but had a scoring drive late in the second half short-circuited when he took a big sack on third down.

Panthers 47, Redskins 3: Jason Taylor limped off the field with a worrisome knee injury and the Redskins quickly unraveled against the host Panthers' 1-2 punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The running backs combined to rush for 201 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Delhomme threw for two scores. Taylor was injured when his right knee bent awkwardly as he got caught in the middle of the pile following Williams' 5-yard run midway through the second quarter. The team called it a sprain and he didn't return. Former University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan was 6 for 12 for 53 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions for the Redskins.

Lions 26, Browns 6: Brady Quinn was lackluster in his first NFL start and the visiting Browns were roughed up for the second time in a week. Quinn was 14 of 24 for 106 yards without a score.

Saints 13, Bengals 0: The visiting Saints sacked Carson Palmer three times in the first half, knocking him out of the game with a bloody nose and a cut lip. Palmer left the game when Kevin Kaesviharn got to him on a third-down safety blitz with 2 seconds left before halftime.

Jaguars 23, Buccaneers 17: Tampa Bay's Jeff Garcia was intercepted twice, but threw a second-quarter touchdown pass before departing the game against visiting Jacksonville. Garcia completed 11 of 18 passes for 79 yards, including a 10-yard TD throw to Michael Clayton on his final play. Tampa Bay linebacker Antoine Cash was carted off the field with a neck injury, but had movement in his extremities. Cash was taken to a hospital for precautionary tests.

Steelers 12, Vikings 10: Jeff Reed kicked four field goals, the last a 37-yarder with 4 seconds left for visiting Pittsburgh.

Rams 24, Ravens 10: Marc Bulger's 4-yard pass to rookie Keenan Burton with six minutes to go in the second quarter gave the Rams' starters their first score in three preseasons under coach Scott Linehan.

Cardinals 24, Raiders 0: Matt Leinart threw three interceptions in less than two quarters before the Cardinals offense opened things up in the second half.

Dolphins 24, Chiefs 0: Ted Ginn Jr. had a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught three passes for the host Dolphins.

CHARGERS

Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said yesterday he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery. Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. Merriman will consult with a doctor in Miami early next week before making a decision.