The Pittsburgh Steelers get starting running back Le’Veon Bell back this week now that his suspension is over and during his Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that he’s not going to ease his main ball carrier back into action this coming Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
“I’m going to play Le’Veon Bell,” said Tomlin.
The Steelers head coach was then asked if he’s decided how much work backup running back DeAngelo Williams will get Sunday with Bell now being back in the lineup. Williams, who started in Bell’s absence, registered 224 yards from scrimmage in the team’s first two games.
“We’ll figure that out as we go, but if 26 [Bell] is available to us, we’re going use him,” said Tomlin.
Tomlin was then asked if he has any concerns about Bell not being hit any since the preseason ended.
“No,” said Tomlin.
During the preseason, Bell rushed for 32 yards on 10 carries and caught three passes for 25 yards. He sat out the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers, so Sunday will mark nearly one full month since he’s taken a hit.
The Rams defensive front will surely be a test for the Steelers running game this week. While their defense has allowed 306 yards rushing on 69 carries in their first two games of the 2015 season, it should be noted that 123 of them came on 4 plays of which 3 were off left tackle.
The interior portion of the Rams defensive line has played well so far against the run as that unit, which is led by defensive tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, has surrendered just 2.76 yards per carry on 33 runs between the guards.
