The 2015 National Football League (NFL) regular season just got tougher for the Pittsburgh Steelers as running back Le'Veon Bell will be sidelined for the remainder of the year because of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear.

Bell suffered the injury in Pittsburgh's 16–10 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday which was their second consecutive.

The 23-year-old was completing a catch from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter of the game when he was tackled by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who appeared to have celebrated after the collision. 

Bell landed on his bent right knee which led to the injury, and after the contact stayed down for a few moments before being attended by the Steelers staff. 

He was then carted off the field and was unable to check back in at Sunday's game. 

Bell finished the game with 10 carries for 45 yards, while also having two receptions for 13 yards. 

The injury to the Pro Bowler is a huge setback for the Steelers as they are just getting back Roethlisberger who also suffered an injury this season but has already recovered. 

Bell and Roethlisberger's combination is something Pittsburgh is relying on in the team's hopes of winning their division and making it to the playoffs. 

Now, backup running back DeAngelo Williams will have to step up since Bell was already placed on the season-ending injured reserve. 

In six games played this season (missed two due to suspension), Bell had 113 carries for 556 yards and three touchdowns. 

Taking Bell's place in the roster was running back Isaiah Pead, who was signed following his injury and was last with the St. Louis Rams who released him back in September. 

The loss to the Bengals gave the Steelers a 4–4 record but will have a chance to better that as they play their next two games against the Oakland Raiders (Week 9) and Cleveland Browns (Week 10) at their home field before a bye week in Week 11.