Le'Veon Bell Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens HC John Harbaugh: Le'Veon Bell could be activated for Week 1 against Raiders

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/9/21

Le'Veon Bell is currently on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad after a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. However, he could be activated for the franchise's Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Thursday "there's a chance" Bell could play in Monday night's game.

"Le'Veon is a guy I think we're very familiar with obviously." pic.twitter.com/e7pQ6qLm8X
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 9, 2021

Baltimore needed depth at running back after losing J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending torn ACL and Justice Hill to an Achilles injury. Bell is certainly a player that can provide an added punch.

The Ravens had an opportunity to add Bell in 2019 but chose Mark Ingram instead, who played in Baltimore for two seasons before being released.

Bell appeared in nine games for the Chiefs last season, rushing for a disappointing 254 yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old has not been the same player since sitting out the 2018 season due to a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Before sitting out, Bell had three seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards, and he was considered one of the best running backs in the NFL. Since then, he hasn't reached the 1,000-yard mark, with a combined 1,117 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns in 26 games for the Chiefs and New York Jets.

Bell is expected to be Baltimore's third-string running back behind Gus Edwards and Ty'Son Williams unless he somehow supplants them during the season.

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