Tag: Le’Veon Bell

Ravens sign RB Le’Veon Bell to practice squad

The Ravens signed RB Le’Veon Bell to their practice squad

The Baltimore Ravens saw multiple running backs on their roster suffer season-ending injuries over the last week. First, up-and-coming rusher J.K. Dobbins suffered a torn ACL during Baltimore’s 37-3 preseason win over the Washington Football Team. Just over a week later, it was announced that running back Justice Hill tore his achilles in practice and would also miss the entirety of the 2021 season.

The two injuries left the Ravens with just two healthy running backs in Gus Edwards and Ty’Son Williams, so the team needed to add one (or multiple) running backs with the 2021 regular season slated to start in less than seven days.

On Tuesday Baltimore added a very accomplished player to their backfield in veteran Le’Veon Bell.

Bell has had quite a lot of success at the NFL level, rushing for over 6,400 yards while adding over 3,200 more through the air as a receiver. He won’t be asked to play a lead-back role in the Ravens’ offense, but could definitely do some damage as a receiver and a pass blocker.

The veteran will start the year on the Ravens’ practice squad, but could quickly be moved to the active roster full-time if he plays well after his two allotted practice squad call-ups.

Ex-Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell signed to Ravens practice squad

Le’Veon Bell has been tied to the Baltimore Ravens since J.K. Dobbins went down to a season-ending ACL tear in the final week of the preseason. 

Le’Veon Bell has been tied to the Baltimore Ravens since J.K. Dobbins went down to a season-ending ACL tear in the final week of the preseason.

On Tuesday, following the loss of Justice Hill to the same injury during practice, the Ravens pulled the trigger.

The Ravens are signing the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back to the practice squad (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Once Bell goes through the league’s COVID protocols, it’s likely he’ll be added to the 53-man roster.

The pool of rosterable running backs is thin, so it’s no surprise Baltimore made the move. Bell joins offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva who signed with the Ravens as a free agent.

Three years and one offensive coordinator removed from Pittsburgh, Bell isn’t much of a threat to reveal anything helpful to the Steelers division rival.

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Ravens bring in five players for tryouts including trio of RBs

The Ravens tried out a trio

The Baltimore Ravens have been hit extremely hard by injuries so far over the course of 2021, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Over the past week the team has lost two running backs to season-ending injuries in J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill, leaving them with just two healthy rushers on their roster.

On Monday the team brought in five players for tryouts, three of which were running backs. Two of those rushers were veteran options, while one has very little experience at the NFL level. Either way, it makes sense that Baltimore is looking at outside options at the position considering how few bodies they have right now.

Bell is the most accomplished of the group, carrying the football 1,556 times for 6,453 yards and 40 rushing touchdowns while also catching 394 passes for 3,259 yards and eight scores through the air. However, he isn’t the player he once was, and comes with some off-field concerns as well.

Freeman was recently released by the New Orleans Saints, but has seen success at the NFL level. He’s put up 4,144 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns on 1,005 carries while also being a threat as a receiver, catching 264 footballs for 2,073 yards and 11 scores.

Holyfield is a bit of a different story. He’s only played one game at the NFL level after signing with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He was cut and re-signed to Carolina’s practice squad that offseason, but hasn’t made a very big impact as a professional yet.

It remains to be seen if the Ravens will value special teams ability as well as proven ability out of their third running back. Hill was a good special teams player, but Bell and Freeman likely aren’t suiting up on that side of the ball. Baltimore needs a third running back (and probably another on the practice squad as well), so a signing or two will likely be coming in the next few days.

AFC North rival rumored to be considering former Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell

This isn’t the first time Le’Veon Bell has been linked to AFC North rivals.

News came out Sunday that Pittsburgh Steelers’ rival Baltimore Ravens took a big blow to their running back position. J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Ravens preseason game against the Washington Football Team.

It’s been rumored that former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is among the candidates to replace Dobbins. This isn’t the first time he’s been linked to the Ravens, though.

Bell has never been the same running back since clawing his way out of Pittsburgh. In three seasons with two teams (Jets and Chiefs), Bell contributed just 1,716 yards from scrimmage.

Ravens’ Gus Edwards is likely to start with Justice Hill behind him — they averaged five yards per carry in 2020. But if Baltimore is looking for a third guy to throw into the mix, why not a former Pittsburgh Steelers back?

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