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Steelers Le'Veon Bell says he's aiming to play by Week 2 vs. Bengals

Steelers rookie running back Le'Veon Bell has been sidelined with a mid-foot sprain for the last two weeks. Monday, he says he is looking to make his debut with the Steelers in Week 2 when the Steelers travel to Cincinnati.

By Michael Uhlhorn
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Isaac Redman fans might want to enjoy week 1, as Le'Veon Bell plans to take the reigns in week 2.

Bell is ruling himself out here for week 1, which is news in itself. I think many of us fans and the Steeler coaching staff feared a longer stay on the bench than 1 regular season game when Bell went down with a mid-foot injury against the Redskins.

The Steelers are coming in with three new running backs from the sub-par 2012 unit, and Felix Jones and Larod Stephens-Howling will help Redman until Bell gets his feet back under him to (hopefully) claim the starting spot against the Bengals.

Redman, for his part, has indicated that he wants to keep the coaches from "wanting to put in anyone else." I think I can speak for most of Steeler Nation when I say that I welcome any effort by Redman in 2013 that keeps Bell from becoming the starter. Redman will have to have one heck of a year to keep Bell on the bench, so go for it Isaac!

One aspect that has yet to be seen is whether the coaches and trainers agree with Bell's week 2 timeline. The last thing that Tomlin & Co. could want is for Bell to rush back and injure himself worse. I suspect that if Bell is back by week 2, he is at 100%. Us fans shouldn't expect to see him before he is.

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