Bell wants whatever Steelers give him
PITTSBURGH – If Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is concerned about his recent workload, he’s not letting on.
In fact, after getting 54 carries and 10 receptions in the past two games, Bell isn’t looking for any breaks as the Steelers head to Cincinnati for a critical showdown with the Bengals.
“If anything, they can give me more,” Bell insisted. “I’m able to handle whatever they can give me.”
Bell has put up more than 200 yards of total offense in each of the last two games for the Steelers (7-5). Against the Bengals (8-3-1), he has an opportunity to become the first player since Walter Payton in 1977 to record three consecutive games with 200-plus yards.
Cincinnati’s pass defense is among the best in the NFL this season, allowing an NFL-low 11 touchdown passes. The run defense, however, has not been nearly as good, allowing 125 yards per game and 13 touchdowns.
It could be a tailor-made game for Bell, who leads the AFC in both rushing (1,046 yards) and total yards (1,689).
With the Steelers likely needing to win each of their final four games to reach the playoffs, putting the ball in Bell’s hands is critical.
“He’s one of the best players in the game,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who returned to practice Thursday after being given the day off Wednesday. “I know we need to get him the ball and that’s running and passing.
“As long as he stays healthy, that’s what matters to me. He has put so much time into and dedicated so much time into his physical conditioning. As long as he feels good with it, I’m happy. I just know how important he is to be on that football field for us.”
Only Chicago’s Matt Forte, with 746 snaps this season, has been on the field more than Bell among running backs this season. Bell was on the field for 723 of the Steelers’ 886 offensive plays this season, or 82 percent of the time.
In the past two games, however, that number increased to 97 percent, with Bell playing on 161 of 166 total snaps.
This is the kind of workload the Steelers had in mind for Bell when they selected him in the second round of last year’s draft.
Bell had seven games with 50 carries or more while at Michigan State.
“He has the pedigree for it, and I think that’s one of the things that attracted us to him in the draft,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He played on a talented offense at Michigan State his sophomore year. But then his junior year, his last … a lot of the football went through him his last year at Michigan State. All you had to do was watch him over the course of that season and gain a level of comfort with his ability to tote the load. During his time here, he’s proven that he’s capable of doing that on the NFL stage, not only in terms of the running game, but his inclusion in the passing game.”
Bell is currently on pace for 288 carries and 87 receptions. He’s also on pace to gain more than 2,250 total yards, which would be a Steelers record.
But he stayed healthy by limiting the number of big hits he takes, something he talked about with running backs coach James Saxon.
“I’m obviously not trying to get tackled,” said Bell. “But they told me to be smart. I get to the ground when I can. I try to get hit by just one guy when I can. A lot of times, when you’re in a pile, there’s two or three guys there. Pick one guy and go at him instead of getting hit by two or three guys. Or don’t get stood up and then guys come in and keep hitting you before you eventually go down. I just want to make sure I go to the ground as quickly as possible once I know the play is done.”
And get up and do it again.
“I don’t feel like I’ve been close to that point where I was too tired for the next play,” Bell said. “When I’m out there, I’m out there just kind of zoned in, tuned in to what I have to do. I don’t really realize I played 89 plays or whatever it may be until after the game and they tell me, and it’s already over then.
“As long as I continue to take care of my body, I’ll be fine.”
While Roethlisberger returned to practice Thursday, linebacker James Harrison (knee), safety Troy Polamalu (coach’s decision) and offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) sat out for the second consecutive day for the Steelers. … Cornerback Brice McCain (hamstring), linebacker Ryan Shazier (ankle) and nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) were among those who were full participants.