What Happened to Bernie Kukar?

[Rich]

(12-28) 15:39 PST EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) --

Referee Bernie Kukar was forced to leave the Panthers-Giants game after being drilled in the back by Giants safety Clarence LeBlanc trying to recover a blocked punt.

Kukar hurt his ankle and shoulder after being hit square in his back by LeBlanc with 10:51 left in the third quarter. Kukar was watching the ball rolling out of bounds at the Panthers 1-yard line after New York blocked its second punt of the game when LeBlanc caught him totally off-guard.

Kukar stayed on the ground flat on his back for about five minutes. He got up and hopped to a golf cart and was taken off the field.

Field Judge Gene Steratore took over as the referee.