The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH — Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell was knocked out of the game in the second quarter Sunday with a right knee injury.

While coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Bell was being evaluated, a team source told The Sports Xchange that the Steelers are optimistic that he has sprained medial collateral ligament rather than a torn anterior cruciate ligament that some feared.

Bell caught a pass from Roethlisberger and his knee twisted awkwardly underneath him when tackled by Burfict. Bell did not put any weight on the leg as he was helped to a cart and taken to the locker room.

Bell also suffered a knee injury in last year’s regular-season finale against the Bengals and missed the Steelers’ loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.

“It was a clean play,” Burfict said. “Le’Veon is a good friend of mine. We’re not trying to hurt anyone. It’s just football and injuries happen.”

After missing the first two games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy, Bell has rushed for 556 yards and three touchdowns on 113 carries in six games while also catching 24 passes for 136 yards.