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Pittsburgh Steelers to give Le’veon Bell 25 touches per game

Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell (26) is led off the field by team staff after has his helmet was knocked off in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back LeVeon Bell (26) is led off the field by team staff after has his helmet was knocked off in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Despite his arrest for DUI and possession of marijuana, it appears that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’veon Bell will get a starter’s workload to start the 2014 NFL season. When Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the number of carries Bell could expect, Tomlin all but confirmed what most of us had figured.

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Scott Brown at ESPN writes:

"“When asked if he could see Bell getting 20 to 25 touches a game this season, Tomlin said, ‘I think we drafted him with that in mind.'”"

That said, others remain skeptical. With the addition of LeGarrette Blount via free agency and Dri Archer via the draft, expect Bell to be on a shorter leash, especially given his preseason trouble. While Blount is a one-yard wrecking ball and Archer had one of the fastest combine times in years, neither player has presented the versatility that Bell has, which should put him in line for a big workload this season.

That said, many have wondered just how effective Bell might be after he averaged just 3.52 yards per carry in his rookie season. The Steelers struggled on both sides of the ball in 2013 though, and it may just be more fair to give Bell this season for him to prove himself.