Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell plans on practicing
By Mike Dyce
The Pittsburgh Steelers held rookie running back Le’Veon Bell out of last Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants due to soreness in his knee. Bell won’t miss Monday’s practice he says.
“I will be practicing today,” said Bell, via the team’s website. “It’s just a little sore. I am fine, though.”
The second-round draft pick is competing for the starting running back’s slot with Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. The Steelers lost the game 18-13, the silver lining for Bell is that neither of his competitors had a strong performance. Redman carried the ball twice for 7 yards and Dwyer carried the ball 6 times for 15 yards. That translates to a less than mediocre 2.5 yards per carry.
The strongest running back in the preseason game was former Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling who carried the ball 7 times for 40 yards, a 5.7 yards per carry average.
Missing the first NFL game of his career was rough on the young player.
“It was definitely a disappointment,” said Bell. “I wanted to play.”
The Steelers face off against the Washington Redskins on Monday night next week in their second preseason game.
“I can’t wait until Monday’s game. But I am going to just sharpen my sword, get ready for battle and go out here for practice and do what I can.”