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Rarely does the word "questionable" seem so hopeful.
The Steelers listed rookie running back Le'Veon Bell as questionable on their injury report, which, by definition, is supposed to mean he has a 50/50 chance of playing in their next game.
Bell has been sidelined by a foot injury since Aug. 19. The common thought is he'd be back by the Steelers' Week 6 game against the New York Jets. He returned to practice this week, but wasn't expected to be this close to the roster so quickly.
Some of it smacks of desperation; the Steelers are off to their worst start in the fanchise's history in terms of running the football. Some of it has tones of "warm up;" Bell may play just a few snaps to see how his foot reacts to the game activity. If it's good, he stays. If it's not, they shut him down for the year.
The questionable designation also gives Chicago something to think about. The Steelers will run outside zone plays against them - something they haven't done much of this year. And with Bell, they'd be doing it against a running back they haven't seen, outside of four carries in the preseason.
Listen to "The Standard is The Standard," BTSC's weekly radio show hosted by Neal Coolong and Lance Williams:
The Standard is the Standard - Episode 3
More from Behind the Steel Curtain:
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- Heath Miller tempering expectations in his first game coming back from injury
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- Steelers injury report: Allen out Week 3 vs. Bears
- Steelers Film Breakdown: Defense pressured with its performance
- Bears vs. Steelers: What to Expect When You're Expecting...to Lose Again
- Steelers film breakdown: Mental and physical errors take their toll
- Beachum could be in-game replacement if Adams or Gilbert isn't playing well
- Haley isn't happy with anything right now
- Mike Holmgren offered his entire 2012 draft for Andrew Luck
- James Harrison on Dick LeBeau
- Steelers vs. Bears: Pittsburgh planning to call more outside zone runs in Week 3