Nov 19, 2014 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – It’s not often a running back rushing for more than 200 yards gets lost in the wash of postgame hoopla.

But that’s exactly what happened to the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell, who was upstaged by the theatrics of now-former teammate LeGarrette Blount following the team’s 27-24 victory Monday night at Tennessee.

Blount’s early departure from the field and subsequent release by the Steelers pushed Bell’s performance against the Titans aside as the team was forced to deal with that situation. Then again, the release of Blount also means that more performances such as the one Bell had against the Titans could be forthcoming.

“We knew Le’Veon was capable of doing everything before the season started,” said Steelers running backs coach James Saxon. “He got a chance on Monday night to show that he’s capable of playing on three downs. He can be a short-yardage player. We knew that. He just got a chance to display it.”

The reason for Blount’s displeasure was the fact that Bell was on the field for 70 of the Steelers’ 74 offensive plays run against the Titans. He finished the game with 33 carries for 204 yards and two receptions for another 18 yards. Blount played just one offensive down and did not receive a carry for the first time this season.

Bell’s 222 total yards were the most by a Pittsburgh player since Willie Parker had 223 in a win against Cleveland in 2006.

It was also the first 200-yard rushing game in the NFL this season.

“I know we put a lot on him going into the game,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley of the second-year running back. “That was part of the plan offensively. We all knew it. He knew it. He took it and ran with it, pardon the pun. He ran hard and got a lot of yards after contact. I thought the guys did a great job up front and really did a good job of imposing their will down the stretch.”

Heading into the bye week, Bell leads the AFC with 951 rushing yards on 195 carries. He’s added 57 receptions – a team record for a running back – for another 484 yards.

With Blount now gone, that kind of workload would seem to be what the Steelers, now 7-4, will expect from Bell in the final five games as they make a push toward the playoffs.

Currently, the Steelers have a pair of rookies, Dri Archer, who has eight carries this season in limited action, and Josh Harris, who was signed off the practice squad following the release of Blount, on their roster behind Bell.

“He’s been good to this point,” said Haley of the 22-year-old Bell. “He comes out (Wednesday) and, to be young again. He’s got a bounce in his step when everybody else is dragging around. He’s got energy.

“I think we’ll take all he can give and we’ll give him all he can take.”

Bell is prepared for an even larger role. In fact, he’s been prepared for that role all season.

“This is what I was training for, to get the ball as many times as I need to,” Bell said. “I don’t feel fatigued or tired in the games. As long as I can continue to work and train the way I have been, I think I’ll be fine.”

Bell did, however, admit to being surprised to learn that the Steelers released Blount, who had been signed in the offseason to a two-year, $3.85-million deal to be his backup.

“It’s unfortunate what happened,” Bell said. “He made his decision. I still want him here, but there had to be some things that had to happen. There are some things you can’t do. He pushed the buttons and that’s what happens.

“I talked to him (Tuesday). We had our conversation. He’s doing good. Obviously, he’s not in the best mood ever. But he understands that he made a mistake.”

After practicing Wednesday, the Steelers will now be off until Monday to being preparations for a Nov. 30 game at Heinz Field against New Orleans … Tight end Heath Miller surpassed the 500-yard mark for the season against the Titans, the eighth consecutive year he’s reached that mark. Only Hines Ward, who did it 12 times, has more in Steelers history … The Steelers signed running back LaDarius Perkins to the practice squad Wednesday. Most recently, Perkins played for the Omaha Mammoths of the Fall Experimental Football League and played collegiately at Mississippi State, where he was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2013 and rushed for 2,554 yards in his career. He was originally signed by Green Bay in May as an undrafted free agent.