National Football League

Fitzgerald made big plays despite bruised lung

Published Jan. 2, 2012 1:02 p.m. ET

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Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald made the spectacular catches that led to the Cardinals' 23-20 overtime victory over Seattle despite a bruised lung.

Running back Beanie Wells says Fitzgerald was coughing up blood on the sideline after a third-quarter hit.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt says trainers initially checked Fitzgerald for a concussion and diagnosed the lung bruise after the game. The standout wide receiver was checked by doctors again Monday and was fine.

Whisenhunt says the injury was not serious but shows the toughness of Fitzgerald, who caught nine passes for 149 yards. In the game, he became the fourth player in NFL history to top 1,400 yards receiving in a season four times.

Fitzgerald mentioned nothing about the injury in his postgame news conference.