Ravens: Le’Veon Bell has a chance to play Sunday, per John Harbaugh
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with a slew of injuries at the running back position in recent weeks. Among the new additions the team brought in is former All-Pro Le’Veon Bell.
Bell was signed to the team’s practice squad a little over a week ago following injuries to the likes of J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill.
The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers running back was kept on the practice squad for Week 1, along with fellow former Pro Bowler Devonta Freeman, as the Ravens rolled with Ty’Son Williams, Latavius Murray, and Trenton Cannon on the active roster.
But that has a chance to change in Week 2.
When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, head coach John Harbaugh was asked if Bell would play in this week’s game. He didn’t give a concrete answer, but he did indicate that it was a possibility.
The Ravens could elevate Le’Veon Bell to the active roster for Week 2
The Ravens waived Cannon shortly after their loss on Monday night. The plan might have been to send him down to the practice squad, but any hopes of that were foiled on Wednesday when he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers.
At the moment, the Ravens have just two running backs on their active roster. It’s highly likely that we’ll see either Bell or Freeman promoted to the 53-man roster prior to Sunday night’s game.
Freeman might make a little more sense seeing as he actually played in the preseason while Bell was still working himself into “football shape” last week, according to Harbaugh.
If Bell were to be activated, it’s likely he wouldn’t receive a sizable role. He could, however, fill a similar role to the one that Cannon filled on Monday.
Bell would likely be the best pass blocker in the Ravens backfield while also serving as a capable receiving threat, possibly on third down.
As for who would take Cannon’s special-teams snaps, that role could go to Williams who is the only running back under contract with much experience playing special teams.
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Bell could make his Ravens debut on Sunday against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. We should have a better idea of what’s to come over the coming days.