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Pittsburgh Steelers’ Season Over if Le’Veon Bell Injured Long-Term

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By @writered21

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The Pittsburgh Steelers may have been given the worst possible news during the third quarter of Sunday night’s AFC North title-deciding game against the Cincinnati Bengals when star running back Le’Veon Bell was injured on a pass reception. He was hit on his left knee by a shoulder/helmet and immediately left the game.

Bell has been a do-it-all workhorse for Pittsburgh this season, running for nearly 1,400 yards and catching 77 passes for 774 yards. So much trust has been put in him that the Steelers don’t have a true backup at his position. Dri Archer, a rookie more suited to play in the slot and as a return man, took over in Bell’s absence, but there’s really no comparison between the backs. Rookie Josh Harris could get some carries as well, and he a had a long run Sunday night called back due to a holding penalty.

NBC reported the injury was a hyper-extended knee. If Bell is unable to return in time for next week’s playoff game, whether it be home vs. the Baltimore Ravens or away at the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers have little chance to win either game without one of their top offensive weapons. Yes, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown can be asked to carry the team, but Bell’s presence is one of the main reasons those two have been so effective this season.

Bell’s speed, strength and, perhaps most importantly, his ability to pick up blitzes as a blocker has been huge to the Pittsburgh offense, one on track to finish second overall in the league for the first time since 1979. There is no adequate replacement for Bell on the roster and no one that can come in on short notice and even be half as effective either running or receiving, let alone both.

It appeared much of the heart and the spirit went out of the Steelers when Bell left the ball game. If he’s not available next week, Pittsburgh’s chances of being any kind of threat in the AFC playoffs are going to be gone as well.

Ed Morgans is an ACC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @writered21 and add him to your network on Google.

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