Steelers put star running back Le’Veon Bell on season-ending injured reserve
Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell is helped from the field Sunday after being injured in an game against Cincinnati.
Le’Veon Bell’s season ended when the Pittsburgh Steelers placed their star running back on injured reserve Monday, the day after he injured his right knee during a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
After serving a league suspension the first two games of the season, Bell rushed for 556 yards and three touchdowns with 24 receptions for 136 yards in six games.
The injury, which reportedly includes a torn medial collateral ligament, occurred on a tackle by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict after Bell caught a pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter.
Bell’s season also came to a premature end last season after a right knee injury against the Bengals. He hyperextended the joint during the teams’ 2014 regular-season finale and missed the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens the following week.
Unlike last time, though, Pittsburgh has someone ready to take Bell’s place in the lineup. Veteran DeAngelo Williams becomes the new starting running back. He filled in during Bell’s suspension and has 310 yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries this season.
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The Steelers signed free agent Isaiah Pead to back up Williams. A second-round pick for St. Louis in 2012, Pead has 78 yards rushing and 94 receiving in his career.
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