The big names who went down with injuries in Week 12

— -- A host of star players went down with injuries this week. Here are the most significant names who got banged up.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots: Gronkowski had his right knee taken out by Broncos safety Darian Stewart on a pass attempt up the seam late in the fourth quarter. The All-Pro TE was writhing in pain on the ground, before getting helped onto the cart. Gronkowski -- who tore the ACL in his right knee in 2013 -- was immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game. On a Patriots' offense that has been gutted by injuries, Gronkowski represents one of the team's most irreplaceable players. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini, the injury is not believed to be as bad as it appeared.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben suffered a concussion midway through the fourth quarter when he was hit by Seahawks pass-rushers Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin. He played the final nine plays of the Steelers' drive, before being replaced by backup Landry Jones with 1:57 remaining. A source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Roethlisberger's symptoms subsided quickly. Roethlisberger had thrown for 456 yards vs. Seattle, the third-highest single-game total of his career, before being ruled out.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks: Graham was carted off at the beginning of the fourth quarter with a knee injury and air cast on his right leg. Coach Pete Carroll said that Graham needs surgery to repair a torn patella tendon and will miss the remainder of the season. The star TE fell awkwardly after trying to adjust to a pass in the end zone. Graham was in the midst of one of his best games this season before getting hurt (four catches, 75 yards).

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Eifert, the NFL's touchdown leader with 12, suffered a stinger after recovering a Giovani Bernard fumble midway through the third quarter. Bengals initially said he was probable to return, but shortly thereafter, they downgraded him to doubtful.

Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs: Houston left the game after getting cut down by teammate Ron Parker with 4 minutes, 8 seconds left in the first quarter. Coach Andy Reid said after the game that Houston has a sprained knee. The All-Pro entered the week fourth in the NFL with 7.5 sacks. He led the NFL with 22 sacks last season.

Dont'a Hightower, LB, New England Patriots: Hightower -- who entered this week with a team-leading 45 solo tackles -- suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter. The Patriots allowed 28 yards rushing and a touchdown on his first two plays off the field. Hightower was spotted on the sideline after halftime and was listed as questionable by the team, but he did not return to the field.

Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington, RBs, Arizona Cardinals: Both Johnson (left knee), the Cardinals' No. 1 RB, and Ellington (left foot), Arizona's third-down back, got injured in the third quarter. Neither returned to the game, as rookie David Johnson got the bulk of the carries for the Cardinals in their absence.

Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Hill was in the middle of his best rushing day of the season (86 yards) when he left the game with an ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter. He did not return, but that might have been because the Bengals held a 31-7 lead. Hill said after that game that he would be fine.

T.J. Ward, S, Denver Broncos: Ward, one of the key cogs in Denver's No. 1 defense, left the Broncos' matchup vs. New England late in the first quarter with a left ankle injury. He was one of three Denver starters to be ruled out for the game. Nose tackle Sylvester Williams hurt his ankle on the same play as Ward, a two-yard run by LeGarrette Blount.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Hurns was taken off the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in the fourth quarter. He was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. Hurns entered this week tied for the team lead with seven touchdowns. He had four catches for 41 yards versus San Diego before leaving the game.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, New York Giants: Rodgers-Cromartie went down with an ugly ankle injury early in the second quarter. While he was out of the game, Redskins WR DeSean Jackson got loose for a 63-yard touchdown. Rodgers-Cromartie was in and out of the game in the second half, as the Giants lost 20-14 to the Redskins.

Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Shazier entered Sunday listed as questionable with a knee injury, and he exited the game after suffering a concussion in the first half. He was ruled out for the remainder of the Steelers' contest vs. Seattle. It's been an injury-riddled beginning to Shazier's career, as he's missed 12 games over the last two seasons with knee, ankle and shoulder ailments. 

Karlos Williams, RB, Buffalo Bills: Williams' injury-riddled season continues, as he left Sunday's game versus Kansas City with a shoulder injury late in the first quarter. Williams -- who had missed three games earlier this season with a concussion -- did not return. The rookie has scored five touchdowns this season, playing mostly as LeSean McCoy's backup.