The NFL season has yet to begin and the Baltimore Ravens have already lost two running backs to injuries, which is why they signed former All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell to their practice squad.
JK Dobbins went down with a left knee injury in the last preseason game of the season last week. Dobbins blew out his ACL against the Washington Football Team, which required season-ending surgery. The Ravens slated Dobbins as their primary running back and many fantasy football cheat sheets projected the second-year player in the top 10-15 RBs this upcoming season.
When Dobbins went down, the Ravens promoted backup Gus Edwards as the new starter. Ty’Son Williams also moved up on the depth chart as the second-string running back. The Ravens promoted Justice Hill to become their third-string RB. However, during practice last Thursday, Hill suffered an Achilles injury that prematurely ended his season.
The Ravens worked out Bell on Monday and officially signed him to the practice squad on Tuesday. The team is expected to add Bell to their 53-man roster before the start of Week 1.
Bell had a stellar career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a dual-threat back. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times after passing the 1,000-yard mark thrice in five seasons. Bell signed a lucrative contract with the New York Jets, but quickly fell out of favor with then-head coach Adam Gase.
Bell failed to thrive in Gase’s system and he was quickly labeled a bust by fans and media. He appeared in just 17 games with the Jets before they cut him early in the 2020 season. He rushed for 863 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games with the Jets.
The Kansas City Chiefs took a flier on Bell last season. He appeared in nine regular-season games with Kansas City and rushed 63 times for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for just 99 yards last season, but failed to score a receiving touchdown.
Bell and Andy Reid clashed over his playing time in the postseason. He rushed twice for six yards in the AFC divisional playoffs against the Cleveland Browns, but that was his sole appearance in the playoffs.
The Ravens are +1400 odds to win Super Bowl 56. The Ravens are also a slight favorite at +110 odds to win the AFC North.
