Spikes, Harrison Out for the Season

Buffalo linebacker Takeo Spikes, who had not missed a game because of an injury in his seven-plus NFL seasons, is out for the year because of a torn right Achilles’ tendon, the team said Monday.

The injury happened in Buffalo’s 24-16 loss to Atlanta on Sunday and leaves the Bills without their top defensive player.

“It’s a big blow for our defense,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “However, we will still play football on Sunday. Injuries happen all the time. We’ve got some other guys that have to take up the slack.”

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Rodney Harrison, the leader of the New England Patriots’ defense, is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

“I feel so bad because he’s one of the hardest working guys on the team,” linebacker Willie McGinest said.

“He puts everything into this game. He plays it with passion.”

Harrison suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament that will sideline him the rest of the season, his agent, Steve Feldman, told the Boston Herald.

Patriot Coach Bill Belichick refused to disclose anything about Harrison or tackle Matt Light, who left Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Sunday with a cast on his right leg.

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A former live-in girlfriend of Jacksonville defensive tackle John Henderson told police that he kicked in her front door earlier this month and threw her around the apartment when she refused to have sex.

There was no warrant for Henderson’s arrest, and the state attorney’s office had not yet determined whether to file charges, sheriff’s spokesman Rick Wood said.

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Minnesota linemen Bryant McKinnie and Marcus Johnson were arrested in connection with a scuffle at a gas station. McKinnie was held on suspicion of disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. He was freed on $50 bail. Johnson was booked on suspicion of the same charges and was also released.

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A clock error added 52 seconds to the fourth quarter of the New England-Pittsburgh game Sunday. The extra time aided the Patriots during a winning drive that ended with Adam Vinatieri’s 43-yard field goal with one second remaining.

The NFL acknowledged the mistake Monday, with director of officiating Mike Pereira issuing a statement: “The on-field officiating crew, which oversees the official game clock operated in the press box, failed to recognize that the clock was improperly reset.”

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Pro Bowl right tackle Willie Anderson was listed as questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals’ next game because of a strained back, jeopardizing his streak of 83 consecutive starts.... Philadelphia kicker David Akers will probably miss the game at Kansas City next week because of a torn hamstring, and quarterback Donovan McNabb’s status is uncertain. McNabb has a sore chest, strained lower abdomen and a bruised shin.... Minnesota safety Willie Offord will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee.