Bell will have to wait for 1st preseason hit
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will have to wait for his first game action of the preseason. He will not play tonight against the Eagles at Heinz Field.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le’Veon Bell will both sit out of tonight’s preseason game against the Eagles at Heinz Field.
PITTSBURGH – As the NFL season quickly approaches, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell still awaits the first time he will be tackled. Until that happens, Bell won’t know if he’s fully returned from a season-ending knee injury suffered last November in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
If head coach Mike Tomlin has his way, it seems, the first time Bell is tackled might not be until September.
“I feel like if they throw me out there, I’m going to be ready,” Bell said. “It’s just being tackled for the first time. I understand that coach doesn’t want me being tackled in the preseason. When I do get tackled for the first time, I’ll be fine.”
Bell, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, receiver Antonio Brown and running back DeAngelo Williams won’t play when the Steelers host the Philadelphia Eagles at 7 p.m. today at Heinz Field. It’s the second straight preseason game the four players will miss.
“That’s my decision,” said Tomlin. “We’ll see where we are next week with those guys.”
For Bell, this training camp, which ended Tuesday, was about showing he can return to the form that allowed him to gain an AFC-best and team-record 2,215 yards in 2014.
He gained 556 yards rushing in six games last season before tearing his MCL and damaging his PCL while being tackled by Cincinnati’s Vontaze Burfict. It marked the second consecutive year Bell’s season was cut short by a knee injury – he was injured in Week 17 in 2014 again against the Bengals – and Bell wants to show he is feeling no ill effects.
The Steelers are one of the few teams that have live tackling at their training camp. While nearly all of the other running backs were brought to the ground at some point – even Williams – Bell was not, despite being a full participant.
“I came out here, I didn’t miss any practices, I didn’t have to take any time off,” Bell said of training camp. “I went through all the practices, not missing a drill, so I feel good.
“I’ll be ready to go whenever they call my number. I’ve been training all summer to get ready for this time of year to make sure I didn’t miss any time at camp, make sure my knee feels good. I feel great.”
When Bell’s number is called remains to be seen. He still faces a possible suspension for the second consecutive season for missing a mandatory drug test in the offseason. Bell was suspended for the first three games of last season after being charged with marijuana possession and DUI during a 2014 traffic stop.
The Steelers are moving forward not knowing if or when Bell will be suspended again, which is why Bell’s backup, the 33-year-old Williams also will not play against the Eagles.
“It hasn’t weighed in any of our planning whatsoever,” said Tomlin. “We’re simply going to wait until a judgment is rendered, and then react accordingly from there. I don’t want to waste time with speculation; it’s usually not a productive use of time. We’re preparing to get him ready for the season.”
Even if he is suspended, Bell knows he will play at some point this season. And he wants to make the most of the opportunity.
The 24-year-old is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season with a number of other high-profile teammates and they don’t want the season to end until February.
“I want to help the team reach the Super Bowl. That’s our No. 1 goal,” Bell said. “I’m not really worried about too much individually.”
Landry Jones is expected to start at quarterback for the Steelers for the second consecutive week. … This will be the first of two meetings between the Steelers and Eagles in just over a month. The two teams are scheduled to play in Philadelphia Sept. 25 in the regular season. … Linebacker Bud Dupree and cornerback Artie Burns, the Steelers’ last two first-round draft picks, are not expected to play because of injuries. … Gene Steratore’s crew will officiate the game.