The health status of Le’Veon Bell and his injured knee could be the difference in the Pittsburgh Steelers winning their wild card playoff game on Saturday against division rival Baltimore or bowing out in the first round, so how optimistic is the workhorse back about his playing status?
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
Le’Veon Bell may be the best all-around running back in the NFL but he may not be healthy enough to play for the Steelers in their home playoff game on Saturday night against division rival Baltimore after hyperextending his knee on a low hit from Bengals safety Reggie Nelson in the regular season finale.
In case you missed the hit, here’s what happened when Nelson collided with the knee of Bell and how awkward it looked after making contact resulting in the hyperextension.
Tests reveled there was no structural or ligament damage to Bell’s knee to the relief of Steeler fans and he is not walking with a limp, but Bell is not optimistic about his availability for Saturday’s game after missing practice on Thursday, according to the NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala.
He hopes to test the knee in Thursday’s practice but even if he doesn’t practice on Friday the Steelers say they feel comfortable playing Bell even if he doesn’t practice all week. His teammate and fellow Pro Bowler, Antonio Brown expects to see Bell on the field considering the magnitude of the game.
Bell rushed for 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns and was responsible for 95 percent of the Steelers rushing yards since LeGarrette Blount was released and his presence in the passing game is just as vital after catching 83 passes for 854 yards and three more touchdowns.
The Steelers signed veteran Ben Tate earlier in the week as insurance in case the second-year back is unable to go but Josh Harris would be in line to get the majority of the carries if pressed into action.
An official designation for Bell will happen on Friday where he is likely to be questionable, which means he has a 50-50 chance of playing.
Kickoff from heinz Field in Pittsburgh between the Steelers and Ravens is scheduled for 7:15 and you can watch on NBC.
For more NFL coverage throughout the day stay on FanSided.com to stayon top of the latest updates around the NFL, including the latest scores, news, injury updates, videos and gif’s, so be sure to follow @FanSidedGIF on twitter so you don’t miss any of the major plays.
Next: College Football's Top 25 Rivalries
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle