BELL `CONFUSED' OVER LIMITED ROLE
Veteran RB getting few opportunities in Chiefs' backfield
One of the most dangerous dual threats in the NFL during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013-17, Le'veon Bell's career is on a rapid decline.
He wasn't making an impact with the worst team in the league, and since being released by the New York Jets and signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in mid- October, he hasn't made an impact with the best team, either.
Following Kansas City's win over Miami on Sunday, in which Bell played a season-low 11 snaps and had just four touches, he tweeted: “I'm so confused.”
Later, he tweeted: “I was hypin about me being confused before, but now I'm REALLY confused.”
He added some LOLS and emojis to lighten the mood, but Bell should be perplexed by how the Chiefs are using him.
Just like most everybody else. In seven games with the Chiefs, Bell has carried the ball only 41 times for 162 yards and has just 11 catches for 76 yards.
In New York, his main complaint (along with all the losing) was that head coach Adam Gase wasn't using him in the passing game as much as he'd like.
In Kansas City, where he was expected to add a complementary piece to go along with rookie running back Clyde Edwards-helaire, he's barely being used at all.
Bell, who had 1,946 yards from scrimmage in his last season in Pittsburgh and a career high 2,215 yards in 2014, has taken a beating over the years. But he's only 28, and at six foot one and 225 pounds, he's a big, strong guy.
It's unlikely that he's done, but it also looks like his best days are further behind him than we imagined.
DOWN AND OUT: Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (ribs) didn't practice this week but he hasn't officially been ruled out of Sunday's game in Tennessee. If he is, backup Chase Daniel will make just the sixth start of his 68-game career. … You would think the Carolina Panthers would just shut down star RB Christian Mccaffrey, who because of injuries, has played just three games (and scored six touchdowns) this season. But he's only listed as doubtful for Saturday night's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. … The New York Giants placed CB James Bradberry on the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday. … Washington has placed S Deshazor Everett on IR with a torn pectoral muscle.
UP THE MIDDLE: Will Drew Brees return for a Sunday showdown with Patrick Mahomes with the New Orleans Saints trying to lock down a playoff spot? Not necessarily. The Saints want to be careful with their 41-year-old future hall of famer, who has missed the last four games with broken ribs and a punctured lung. “He's got a ways to go, and he's someone we're not going to hurry back and just put him in the game,” coach Sean Payton said, per ESPN.COM. “The significance of the injuries are such that you've got to make sure he can feel confident.”
SLANTS AND BUTTON HOOKS:
Next time the Cleveland Browns and Ravens play each other — whether it's in the playoffs or next season — you might want to keep an eye on the Jarvis Landry-marcus Peters matchup. It appears a feud is brewing. Three days after the teams played on Monday night, Landry was still angry, saying Peters, Baltimore's veteran cornerback, spit on him. “He's a coward,” said Landry, Cleveland's top receiver. “Behind my back he may do that but to my face he wouldn't. I saw the video after the game. We don't have a history, but for some reason he seemed to have it out for myself. If a beef is what he wants, he's got it.”
SIDELINE TO SIDELINE: The Giants announced on Thursday that offensive co-ordinator Jason Garrett has tested positive for COVID-19 and will continue to work remotely. Calling the offensive plays on Sunday against the Browns will be tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens, and wouldn't he just love to beat the team that fired him as head coach after just one season (2019) on the job …. Former running back Lorenzo Taliaferro, who played 19 games with the team from 2014-16, has died at age 28, the team announced Thursday. According to a family member, he suffered a heart attack.