The Blitz Read: Rash of injuries claim top running backs Le'Veon Bell, Matt Forte

Ron Clements

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The Blitz Read: Rash of injuries claim top running backs Le'Veon Bell, Matt Forte image

Sunday was not a good day for NFL running backs as the 2015 NFL season is becoming more and more a battle of attrition. 

Multiple teams lost their starting backs with injuries on Sunday, headlined by Steelers Pro Bowler Le'Veon Bell. The third-year back suffered a nasty injury to his right knee after getting tackled on the sideline against the Bengals. Bell's knee got caught under Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who made the tackle. 

PHOTOS: NFL Week 8 action | MORE: Every major injury from Week 8

Bears running back Matt Forte also sustained a right knee injury during Chicago's 23-20 loss to the Vikings. Forte, 29, injured the knee on an 8-yard reception in the third quarter, but Bears coach John Fox would not speculate on the severity of the injury after the game. 

Forte and Bell weren't the only running backs injured Sunday. San Francisco's Reggie Bush injured a knee after slipping near the wall at the Edward Jones Dome. Saints running back Khiry Robinson suffered a gruesome lower leg injury against the Giants and had an air cast placed on his right leg before he was carted off the field at the Superdome. 

There were three games decided by last-second field goals with the Saints, Ravens and Vikings both winning at the buzzer. Justin Tucker's 39-yarder to give the Ravens a 29-26 win over the Chargers was his fifth of the day. 

The Bengals also remained undefeated with their 16-10 win over the Steelers, and the Broncos handed the Packers their first loss, a 29-10 drubbing to improve to 7-0 themselves. Four undefeated teams remain — the Patriots, Bengals, Broncos and Panthers, who play Monday night.

Injury report

The running backs weren't the only players to go down with injuries on Sunday. Pro Bowl receivers Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith also didn't finish their respective games. 

Ravens receiver Steve Smith suffered a torn Achilles during a 17-yard catch against the Chargers in what might have been the final play of his career. 

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson injured his ankle late in the blowout loss to the Chiefs. The Lions have a bye coming up, so it's unlikely Johnson will miss any time. 

Giants tight end Larry Donnell was taken to the locker room after suffering a neck injury against the Saints. 

The Browns lost defensive backs Joe Haden and Donte Whitner with concussions and it's doubtful either will be able to play Thursday against the Bengals. 

The Chargers lost both defensive lineman Corey Liuget (foot) and starting offensive tackle King Dunlap (ankle) with injuries against the Ravens. Both players were carted off the field. 

Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette suffered a scary concussion against the Cowboys and spent the night in a Dallas-area hospital as a precaution.

Ben going for miles

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger surpassed 40,000 career passing yards on Sunday. Put another way, Roethlisberger has now thrown for nearly 23 miles. He was just shy of reaching the milestone when he injured his knee against the Rams in Week 3. 

Saints "Brees" to historic victory 

Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Giants quarterback Eli Manning combined for a single-game NFL record 13 touchdown passes on Sunday. The Saints tied the game in the final minute on Brees' seventh touchdown pass of the game to tie an NFL record. Kai Forbath then kicked a 50-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 52-49 win. The 101 points were the third-most in NFL history.

Highlight reel

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith only threw for 145 yards in Sunday's rout of the Lions, but he also ran for 78 yards and a touchdown. He even ripped off a 49-yard jaunt through the Lions defense.

Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley went over 100 yards for the fourth straight game with 133 yards against the 49ers, including a 71-yard burst through a huge hole created by the Rams offensive line.

Ravens receiver Chris Givens had a gorgeous diving catch against the Chargers for a 39-yard gain.

The Ravens beat the Chargers on a Tucker field goal, but the game-winning kick wasn't the highlight. Tucker's celebration was.

What's the best way to create a turnover? Just take the ball away from the other player, like Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander did to Falcons receiver Julio Jones.

Linemen can have highlights, too, especially when a rookie like Cowboys tackle La'el Collins pancakes two people on one play.

Raiders running back Taiwan Jones couldn't be stopped after catching a swing pass in the flat. 

This was the game in a nutshell for Aaron Rodgers, whom the Broncos defense held to 77 yards passing. 

Sunday's games

Chiefs 45, Lions 10
Bengals 16, Steelers 10
Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20, OT
Ravens 29, Chargers 26
Vikings 23, Bears 20
Cardinals 34, Browns 20
Texans 20, Titans 6
Saints 52, Giants 49
Rams 27, 49ers 6
Raiders 34, Jets 20
Seahawks 13, Cowboys 12
Broncos 29, Packers 10

Monday's game

Colts at Panthers, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Ron Clements