Le’Veon Bell ruled out for Steelers Wild Card game vs. Ravens
Bell can’t play against Baltimore, limiting the Steelers to a group of unknowns in the backfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is inactive against the Baltimore Ravens for their Wild Card game on Saturday night at Heinz Field, the team announced on Friday. Bell was injured on Sunday Night Football last week versus the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 when he hyperextended his knee.
Bell has been Pittsburgh's best weapon all season, perhaps even the NFL's best duel-purpose threat. The second-year star out of Michigan State racked up 1,361 rushing and 854 receiving yards on 83 catches this season. Along with Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, Bell has formed a modern-day version of the triplets, a la Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman of the 1990's Dallas Cowboys.
Without Bell, the Steelers have to turn to unknowns. Pittsburgh signed Ben Tate earlier in the week as an insurance policy in case Bell could not play. Tate has already suited up for the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings this year, amassing 371 yards on 3.1 yards per carry, the lowest of any NFL back this season.
Another option will be undrafted rookie Josh Harris. Harris has only carried nine times for 16 yards, getting all his touches in two games against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dri Archer could also see action in the backfield. Archer, a third-round pick from Kent State, has 40 rushing yards on 10 carries as a rookie.
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