PITTSBURGH (AP) — Le’Veon Bell’s injured right knee won’t be ready in time for Saturday’s wild-card game against Baltimore.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin ruled his star running back out of the first round of the playoffs on Friday after Bell missed a third straight day of practice.
Bell hyperextended the knee in last Sunday’s AFC North-clinching win over Cincinnati. Tomiln said he would not play Bell unless he was certain Bell was healthy enough to protect himself. Bell was walking without a limp by Wednesday but never suited up for practice.
Rookies Josh Harris and Dri Archer along with newly acquired Ben Tate will all get a chance at replacing Bell, who set a franchise record with 2,215 yards from scrimmage. It’s unclear whether Bell would be available if Pittsburgh advances.
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