Baltimore Ravens sign running back Le'Veon Bell

The Baltimore Ravens have signed former Michigan State running back Le’Veon Bell according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Having lost RBs J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill to season-ending injuries, the Ravens are signing veteran RB Le’Veon Bell to their practice squad, per source,” Schefter said. “He soon is likely to be added to the 53-man roster when ready.”

The move comes after season-ending injuries to J.K Dobbins and Justice Hill in a five-day span. Dobbins suffered a torn ACL in the Ravens’ preseason finale while Hill suffered a torn Achilles on Thursday.

Bell is signed to the practice squad, but will likely be on the active roster “when ready” as Schefter stated. The Ravens still have running back Gus Edwards who figures to be the featured back alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Bell returns to the AFC North division after six seasons in Pittsburgh from 2013-2018.

Le’Veon Bell was heralded as one of the best at his position in his time in Pittsburgh. In his first five seasons, Bell recorded 5,336 rushing yards, 2,660 receiving yards and 42 total touchdowns from scrimmage. Bell was selected to three Pro Bowls and earned two First-Team All-Pro honors.

Then, in 2018, Bell held out the entire season over his contract. Bell played the entire 2017 season on a franchise tag and was looking for a contract that rivaled that of receivers, given his production in the pass and run game. Ultimately, the two parties never agreed to terms, and Bell signed a four-year $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets.

In less than two years into the contract, Bell was released by the Jets just two games into the 2020 season. Bell was later picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 2020, Le’Veon Bell had just 254 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns in nine regular-season games for the Kansas City Chiefs but made his first Super Bowl. Bell entered free agency after the season and publicly declared “I’ll never play for Andy Reid again… I’d retire first” in an Instagram comment.

Bell remained unsigned through the 2020 offseason until Tuesday.

At Michigan State, Le’Veon Bell rushed for 3,346 yards and 33 touchdowns in three seasons. Bell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round with the 48th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.