Steelers back Le’Veon Bell likely lost for season with knee injury, report says
The Pittsburgh Steelers got their entire offense back together for less than a half on Sunday before another injury took out one of their key pieces. And it appears that Le’Veon Bell won’t be coming back this season.
Bell, arguably the best running back in the NFL, had his right knee twisted awkwardly underneath him on a second-quarter tackle that was finished by Cincinnati Bengals safety Reggie Nelson, the same player who hit Bell last year and caused a knee injury that knocked Bell out of the playoffs. The real damage was done this time by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who pulled Bell down from behind after a catch.
Reports on Sunday night said Bell had a serious tear in his MCL and will likely be lost for the season. Steelers Depot first reported the news.
Bell was looked at on the sideline by the training staff, then carted back to the locker room. The Steelers announced he was doubtful to return, then shortly after halftime announced he was out. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said during the third quarter that Bell had left the stadium for further evaluation.
The Steelers’ exciting offense, it appears, will play a little more than a quarter together all season. Bell was suspended two games to start the season. Receiver Martarvis Bryant was suspended for four games. By the time Bryant and Bell were both back, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out with a knee injury for a few games.
Roethlisberger returned on Sunday, and helped give the Steelers an early lead on a touchdown pass to Antonio Brown before eventually falling to the Bengals, 16-10. But then Bell got his leg pinned underneath him in a way that no Steelers fan wanted to see.
Enter DeAngelo Williams for Bell, presumably for the rest of the season. No offense to Williams, the former Carolina Panthers back who has played well in place of Bell when asked this season, but losing an All-Pro like Bell will be tough for Pittsburgh to overcome.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
