Steelers In A Tough Spot Regarding Health Of Bell
Steelers Nation rang in the New Year all over the world on New Year’s Eve with great fervor. The Steelers, however, should be a little cautious in ringing another Bell this weekend.
Running back sensation, Le’Veon Bell, suffered a hyperextended knee last Sunday evening from a hit by the Bengals’ Reggie Nelson. As has been reported numerous times, Bell sustained no structural damage and everything in his right knee is intact. Everyday since Monday, social media “Bell Watch” reports observations of Bell’s gait and spirits.
Bell wants to play, and he’s gearing up to do just that. While I would love to have Bell on the field for a huge game like this against the Ravens, I am uneasy about seeing him on the field too soon. Let’s consider a few things.
More from Still Curtain
- Steelers play it safe in recent 2023 NFL mock draft
- Kenny Pickett gets his guy in latest Steelers mock draft with trades
- Steelers face potentially dark reality if Matt Canada doesn’t pan out
- Senior Bowl sleepers the Steelers must have on their radar
- One simple change Omar Khan must make for the Steelers draft
Bell, in his rookie season, was hampered with a foot injury during the first half of the season. The injury kept him out of the first few weeks of the season, and upon his return, took some time to get going. Bell’s full potential was not seen until later in the season when his moves broke ankles and left defenders falling out of their shoes.
Bell’s legs are so important to his game. His agility allows him to avoid would be tacklers, and his strength allows him to push through and drag defenders yards at a time. This hyperextended knee will almost certainly keep him from making huge cuts and spin moves. The stretched ligaments weaken the muscles in the effected leg, and Bell could struggle to hit the hole and defenders hard.
One thing you can always count on with Bell is that as long as he hits the hole leaning forward, he will always gain a three or more yards simply due to his strength. The offensive line has improved greatly over the season, but Bell is hit within a yard of the line of scrimmage often. Bell overcomes that through his strength.
Let’s rewind the clock a bit to 2001. Power back Jerome Bettis suffered a hyperextended knee injury during Week 12 against the Vikings. While Bettis didn’t tear anything, the hyperextension was bad enough that it kept him out for nearly six weeks. He was activated for the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots.
Bettis was largely ineffective during that game, rushing 9 times for only 8 yards and a goal line touchdown. He also had two catches where he averaged a little over 11 yards per catch. The Steelers lost that game 24-17 and were sent home while the Patriots would go on and win Super Bowl XXXVI.
Bettis was not 100% in that game. It showed.
The Steelers are in a tough spot. Bell is such a dynamic part of the offense, but his less than full health will more than likely keep him from utilizing all of his tools. Josh Harris is not the same type of back as Bell, but showed a national audience that he has speed and strength to possibly get the job done against the Ravens.
What would you do if you were the coach and the doctors cleared Bell but knew he wasn’t 100%? Will Bell be able to do enough to help his team defeat the Ravens?