"Falcons running back Michael Turner was knocked out the game again Sunday, after taking another shot to his the same injured right ankle. Later, he was not sure the event was a coincidence

On the Falcons' first play of the game, Turner charged up the middle for seven yards before New York Jets safety Jimmy Leonhard hit Turner low, plowing into the ankle that is still recovering from a five-week-old high sprain.

Turner was originally injured when Carolina's Chris Gamble drilled him in the second quarter of a game on Nov. 15.

"Michael did not get out of his first carry," Falcons coach Mike Smith said.

Turner expects opposing teams to target his ankle, but stopped short of calling Leonhard's hit intentional.

"I'm not in their minds so I'm not going to say what they are trying to do," Turner said. "That's what it looks like, but I've got to expect it. I was just hoping that my ankle was strong enough to take it."

Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards last season, has 871 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns with two games to play. The Falcons were hoping to lean on him against the Jets because the swirling winds at Giants Stadium made passing difficult."