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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Steve Smith, Le’Veon Bell among the key injuries in Week 8

Associated Press

From Steve Smith to Le’Veon Bell to a pair of Pro Bowl defenders in Cleveland, it was another rough day for injuries to some of the NFL’s biggest stars.

Smith, the Baltimore Ravens receiver, was lost for the season when he tore the Achilles tendon in his right foot late in the third quarter against San Diego.

Smith made a nice grab in traffic, curled back and was tackled by Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett after a 17-yard gain. Verrett wrapped Smith up by the right foot, and the 36-year-old receiver immediately went face down to the turf, pointing to his foot.

Smith had five catches for 82 yards at the time he was injured. He came into the game as Baltimore’s leading receiver with 41 receptions for 588 yards and three touchdowns.

In Pittsburgh, Bell was carted off the field with a knee injury in the Steelers’ loss to Cincinnati and Browns cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner both left the game against Arizona with concussions.

Bell’s right knee twisted awkwardly underneath him during a tackle by linebacker Vontaze Burfict. He didn’t put any weight on the leg as he was helped to a cart and taken from the field, a development that overshadowed Ben Roethlisberger’s return from a four-game injury absence.

Bell entered the week fifth in the NFL in rushing with 511 yards despite missing the first two games because of a suspension.

In London, Calvin Johnson suffered an ankle injury while making his biggest catch of the day, a 30-yard sideline grab to the Kansas City 47. Johnson was well covered by the Chiefs’ Sean Smith but out-jumped the cornerback to make the catch. Johnson limped off the field with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Saints running back Khiry Robinson was carted off with an ugly injury to his lower right leg against the Giants.

Robinson left the field with his leg in an air cast, leaving the Saints with three healthy running backs: Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller and rookie Marcus Murphy.

Though who needs running backs when Drew Brees is throwing seven touchdowns in a game?

In other injury news:

– 49ers RB Reggie Bush left in the first half with a knee injury.

– Bears RB Matt Forte left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

– Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant left with a lower back injury in the third quarter.

– Bears WR Eddie Royal left with a knee injury.

– Giants TE Larry Donnell injured his neck. Running back Orleans Darkwa left with a back injury.

– 49ers TE Garrett Celek had a concussion and safety L.J. McCray left with a knee injury.