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While the running game has struggled, many have thought long and hard as to how the Pittsburgh Steelers could somehow develop a stronger presence in their ground game. However tonight brought some long awaited news, albeit ahead of schedule.
Huge news for Steelers, team is now planning to play RB Le'Veon Bell this week. Progressed faster than they thought.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 24, 2013
This news does not guarantee that the Steelers will have a 100 yard rusher in week 4 of 2013, or that the Pittsburgh ground game will even be effective enough to make opposing defenses respect it, but it does mean that the player the team invested a high draft pick in may finally participate in his first full NFL game.
Le'Veon Bell played very shortly in the preseason, not even finishing a series before suffering an injury that was thought at one time to keep him on the sideline until midseason, or at best week 6.
However as all the news has reported over the past few weeks, the rookie running back was making solid strides in his road to recovery. That road has brought Bell to be able to play this Sunday. No reports have been given as to how much he will play against the Minnesota Vikings, but it can be assumed that he'll be given a considerable opportunity to carry the load.
Why? Because the running back committee that has been in his place for the first three weeks of the season have rushed for 124 yards on 40 carries. 80 of those yards came this week with the return of Jonathan Dwyer and a few plays from Felix Jones to average 3.8 yards per carry this week. Although it was better than the abysmal performance against the Titans in Week 1 and the Bengals in Week 2, it still hasn't been enough.
More from Behind the Steel Curtain:
- Bears vs. Steelers Postgame News and Updates
- Reflecting back on a butt-kicking
- Antonio Brown got the damn ball
- Turnovers are the only statistics that matter
- Mel Blount and Donnie Shell speak on new NFL
- Dwyer earned a starting role in loss to Bears
- London Calling: Steelers leave for England Thursday
- Tomlin looking for a few good tackles
- Turnovers just not coming for Steelers defense
- Winners and Losers from Steelers loss to Chicago Bears
- Bears vs. Steelers final score: Chicago gets five Pittsburgh turnovers en route to 40-23 victory
- A look back on Heath Miller from 2012