THE SIDELINES : Bell to Sub for Bucs’ Testaverde

Vinny Testaverde’s sprained ankle will keep him out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season finale against Pittsburgh this weekend, and the club has re-signed Kerwin Bell to fill his spot on the active roster.

Testaverde, a third-year pro who threw for 3,133 yards in 14 starts this season, injured his left ankle in the second quarter of last week’s 33-7 loss to the Detroit Lions and did not return. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Coach Ray Perkins said that Bell, released by Tampa Bay twice this season, was asked to return to back up Joe Ferguson against the Steelers because he knows the Bucs system and “can do some things in the passing game” on a limited basis.

Ferguson, 39, completed seven of 18 passes for 161 yards against the Lions, with 69 of those yards coming on Mark Carrier’s touchdown reception on the last play of the game.