Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell Likely Out For Year With Torn MCL, PIT To Sign RB Isaiah Pead

Update:

Alex Kozora of SteelersDepot.com reports that RB Le’Veon Bell suffered a torn MCL that is expected to end his 2015 season.

• According to Kozora, it’s uncertain whether Bell sustained any damage to his ACL, but the MCL injury is reportedly enough to cost him the rest of the season.
• Jason La Canfora reports that the Steelers are expected to place Bell on season-ending injured reserve on Monday, pending confirmation from the MRI.
• Adam Schefter reports that Bell “badly tore” his MCL and is expected to be out for the season.

La Cafora reports that Steelers are expected to sign RB Isaiah Pead in the coming days to replace Bell.

Pead, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Rams back in 2012. He was in the final year of his four-year, $4.038 million rookie contract when St. Louis waived him a few weeks back.

This season, Pead has been active for two games and ran for three yards on two carries (1.5 YPC) and lost a fumble. He has also totaled 63 kick return yards.

We’ll have more updates regarding Bell’s injury as the news is available.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that while the Steelers still awaiting the MRI results on RB Le’Veon Bell‘s injured knee, there is “very serious concern this will be a lengthy absence.”

• Pro Football Talk reports that the initial examination of Bell’s knee has the Steelers optimistic about the status of his ACL.
• According to PFT, Pittsburgh hopes it’s just an MCL injury.
• Former NFL physician David Chao believes it’s a “significant” knee injury that could cost him multiple weeks. However, Chao doesn’t think it’s of the season-ending variety of knee injuries.
• Chao adds that he’s expecting Bell’s ACL to be spared, but he’s keeping his fingers crossed.

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Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell left Sunday’s game against the Bengals with a right knee injury. He was taken to the locker room on a cart, and the team announced soon after that he was doubtful to return.

Former NFL physician David Chao believes it’s a “significant” knee injury that could cost him multiple weeks. However, Chao doesn’t think it’s of the season-ending variety of knee injuries.

Chao adds that he’s expecting Bell’s ACL to be spared, but he’s keeping his fingers crossed

Bell, 23, is in the third year of his four-year, $4,120,600 rookie contract that included a $1,376,800 signing bonus. He’ll make a base salary of $779,600 this season and another $966,900 in 2016.

Bell wound up missing the first two games of the season due to a suspension.

Coming into today, Bell appeared in five games and ran for 511 yards on 103 carries (5 YPC) to go along with 22 receptions for 123 yards receiving and three total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 2 running back out of 59 qualifying players.