Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell says he is ready to assume a full workload.
Bell told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that his surgically repaired right knee feels “crazy strong” and is not hindering him in any manner.
“I feel like I am ready,” Bell told the newspaper. “I feel like I can go out there and get tackled or whatever it may be.”
Bell tore the medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 1 last season, curtailing his season after six games.
The 24-year-old Bell had a monster second season with the Steelers in 2014, amassing 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns rushing while hauling in 83 catches for 854 yards and three more scores.
The injury to his knee aside, the beginning of Bell’s season remains in jeopardy. The second-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2013 reportedly is facing a four-game suspension for failing a drug test.
Bell has denied the report and is appealing any potential discipline. He was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league’s drug policy, but the ban later was reduced to two games.
Fantasy Update: Bell is top running fantasy back available in 2016 but his value could take a hit if he’s suspended. Monitor his situation and if he doesn’t face any discipline from the NFL, he should be the first back off the board.