After missing two games, Steelers’ Bell takes the running back baton from Williams

That wasn’t the baton DeAngelo Williams passed to Le’Veon Bell in the Steelers locker room Monday, but a towel. Bell, sweating profusely as he talked to reporters after a workout, needed it.

“Appreciate it, DeWill,” Bell told him.

It just as easily could have been ceremonial, the AFC’s current leading rusher passing the towel as a baton to last year’s AFC rushing champ.

Bell, the Steelers’ All-Pro halfback, completed his two-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and will rejoin his teammates in practice this week and play in St. Louis against the Rams on Sunday. The Steelers have a roster exemption for him until 4 p.m. Wednesday, when they must remove another player to make room for him. That player could be second-year halfback/wide receiver Dri Archer, who did not play on offense in the team’s 43-28 victory over San Francisco after playing only three snaps on offense in the opener.

But with Williams and Bell, offensive coordinator Todd Haley has a luxury of riches at halfback. Williams, a 10-year veteran, is the NFL’s second-leading rusher with 204 yards after two games.

“DeAngelo played great, but that didn’t surprise me at all,” Bell said. “I’ve been watching him since I was growing up. He did everything plus more than I expected. He did his thing, and I’m just glad to come in and help him out a little bit.”

Bell led the AFC with 1,361 yards rushing in his second season and added 83 pass receptions for another 854 yards. He rarely came off the field last season, which is one reason his veteran backup, LeGarrette Blount, walked out on the team in Nashville, Tenn., last season and was cut the next day.

Williams says he will have no problem stepping aside to let Bell do his thing.

“I’m telling you this right now, Le’Veon is going to rewrite the rushing record here,” Williams said. “I’m telling you right now, and I’m not putting no pressure on the guy. I know what he can do. And you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to watch him.

“I’m just an old guy trying to find his way.”

Bell said he is willing to share time with the 10-year vet who rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns with Carolina in 2008 and signed with the Steelers after the Panthers released him this year.

“He obviously showed in the first two games he can come in and the offense doesn’t slow down at all,” Bell said. “And obviously, last year what I did, we’re both excited. We both do different things, we’re different style of runners. They’ll use us both, I’m pretty sure.”

Under NFL rules, Bell was permitted to work out at the Steelers’ facility and attend all their meetings but was not permitted on the practice field, even to watch. He said staying around and staying abreast helped him keep pace with what the team is doing.

(c)2015 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.