"When Jeremy Shockey caught a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter of the New Orleans Saints' 34-3 win over the Carolina Panthers, it was his 500th career reception. That made him the eighth tight end in NFL history to reach the plateau.

On that catch, however, he took a shot to the back. He left the game and was taken to a local hospital for examination of what was reportedly a rib injury. Shockey was in the locker room after the game but declined comment.

Coach Sean Payton said X-rays taken at Bank of America Stadium were negative and Shockey's hospital visit was precautionary.

In the third quarter, safety Malcolm Jenkins suffered what appeared to be a stinger in his right shoulder. He did not return but said afterward the injury was no big deal and he could have played more if asked.

Similarly, safety Darren Sharper said a tweaked hamstring was what forced him out at the end of the third quarter and he was not overly concerned, especially with the Saints entering their bye week.

"If you could say 'perfect timing' -- although any time you get hurt it's never perfect timing -- I've got time to come back and in two weeks I should be fine," Sharper said.

Running back Chris Ivory also left the game with a shoulder injury. The severity of that remains unclear."