Four and out: Surprises from the NFL in Week 8
By Dani Bostick
4. Injuries continue to decimate teams
A literal decimation involves only one out of ten people getting obliterated. Some teams seem to be experiencing more than such, with key players falling to injury week after week. Injuries have been a key theme throughout 2015 with an astounding number of sidelined star-level players; Week 8 continued the trend.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, one of the most dynamic players in the league, fell to a gruesome knee injury in the first half of his team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sustained a knee injury in Week 3, Bell’s first week back after a two-game suspension. The duo played less than a half together before Bell was carted off on Sunday and placed on Injured Reserve on Monday.
Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith suffered a torn Achilles during his team’s victory against the San Diego Chargers. Star defender Terrell Suggs suffered the same injury in the Ravens season opener against the Denver Broncos.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette fell limp and was immobilized and carried off after a tough blow to the head during a special teams play against the Cowboys. While he has full mobility, he will still require season-ending spinal surgery.
Another high-profile injury was to Bears running back Matt Forte. The Bears are claiming that Forte will be able to return to the field before the season ends, but the struggling team cannot afford to be without one of its most reliable players, unless its goal is to continue losing and get the best possible draft position.
Thursday night against the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins defensive end and sack machine Cameron Wake tore his Achilles. San Francisco 49ers running back Reggie Bush suffered a fluke injury slipping on concrete after a play and slamming into a wall. Rounding out the list, Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is out with an injury to his kidney.
Next: 3. Houston Texans