Sep 26, 2016 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Coming off a 34-3 whipping at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, a game in which they managed just 29 rushing yards, the Steelers could use a boost.

That’s what Le’Veon Bell plans to be.

The running back said Monday he’s in great shape and ready to go as he returns from his three-game suspension for missing mandatory drug tests. He could give the Steelers’ offense a big boost this week as they prepare to host Kansas City Sunday night.

“I just want to go out there and do what I do,” said Bell. “I want to make sure I do all of my assignments, take care of everything, make plays and win the game.”

The Steelers certainly hope that is the case. Though they went 2-1 without Bell, they missed his presence against the Eagles, particularly in the passing game.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown caught 12 passes for 140 yards but the rest of the Steelers’ pass catchers managed only 12 receptions for 117 yards.

“It sucked,” Bell said of watching his teammates get embarrassed by the Eagles. “The first two weeks were easier than the last week.”

Bell set the Steelers record for receptions by a running back with 83 in 2014. In six games last year, Bell had 24 receptions before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The torn ligaments he suffered last Nov. 1 against Cincinnati sidelined Bell throughout the offseason. But he didn’t miss a practice at training camp and looked sharp in the one preseason he played. Bell had three carries for 21 yards and caught five passes for another 37 yards against New Orleans despite playing just two offensive series.

Bell said he has stayed in shape. Though he was not permitted to practice with the Steelers during his suspension, Bell was permitted to be at the team facility.

“I have been working out, getting stronger, catching the football, cutting, rehabbing my knee, lifting, and little things like that,” Bell said. “I know I will be ready.”

Veteran DeAngelo Williams replaced Bell and rushed for 258 yards on 66 carries. But he was limited to 21 yards on eight attempts against the Eagles as the Steelers never got their rushing attack established.

Bell said he wouldn’t mind sharing playing time with Williams, if that is what the coaching staff decides to do.

“DeAngelo and myself are unselfish guys,” Bell said. “We want to do whatever it takes for us to win a Super Bowl. That is the biggest goal. That is the No. 1 thing for me and him both. We just want to keep moving forward.”

Bell’s suspension was his second in two seasons. He sat out the first two games last season following a 2014 traffic stop that resulted in a DUI and charges for marijuana possession. Though he has not tested positive for marijuana, Bell claims to have missed three mandatory tests, two last December while he was recovering from knee surgery and another in the offseason.

“Not just on the field, but off the field, being a better person with my family, teammates, everybody involved in my life,” Bell said of his growth from the incident. “I am not a perfect person. I never will be and am not going to try to be. There are things I can get better at and I am going to shoot to get better.”

The Steelers are 22-13 with Bell in the lineup since they selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. Without Bell, they are 9-7.

Bell has had injuries that forced him to miss playoff games in each of the last two seasons. He also started two consecutive seasons on the suspended list, something that has caused some people to question his reliability.

“I want to be a guy that is reliable. I want to take care of the football, make plays in situational downs, get in the end zone and help the offense move the ball and win games,” Bell said. “That is what I feel like I can do and I look forward to it.”

The Steelers’ one quarterback sack is the NFL-low. … The Steelers are allowing 407 yards per game, placing them 27th in the league. … Kansas City forced eight turnovers on 11 possessions by the New York Jets Sunday. The Chiefs are plus-5 in turnover ratio, tied with Buffalo for the best in the AFC.