RB Bell lands one-year deal from champs
Free-agent running back Le’veon Bell agreed to a one-year deal with reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
The 28-year-old, released Tuesday after 19 months with the New York Jets, must go through five days of COVID-19 testing before he can join the Chiefs, per league protocols, so he won’t be available to play Monday.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection in five seasons with Pittsburgh, Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal with the Jets last year. He ran for 863 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games with New York, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
Bell never clicked with Jets coach Adam Gase, who opposed Bell’s signing from the outset. Bell met with Gase and general manager Joe Douglas on Monday, expressing frustration with role in the offense.
The Jets are responsible for the $6 million left on Bell’s 2020 base pay, but an offset clause will defray it by the amount of salary in the Kansas City deal.
In other Chiefs news, wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks but is likely to avoid injured reserve, coach Andy Reid said.
■ Obit: Hall of Fame defensive end Fred Dean, who played a key role in launching San Francisco’s 1980s dynasty, died Thursday after being hospitalized for the past week with COVID-19. He was 68. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Dean played his first seven NFL seasons with San Diego and five with the 49ers, winning two Super Bowls.
■ Browns: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was sent home with an illness. The 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowl selection had not tested positive for COVID-19, coach Kevin Stefanski said, noting Beckham was tested again Thursday, with the results expected Friday. Also, wide receiver Jarvis Landry (ribs, hip) remained sidelined at practice.
■ Titans: Defensive end Jeffery Simmons was activated from the reserve/covid-19 list after being sidelined for two games, and rookie running back Darrynton Evans (hamstring) was placed on IR.
■ Bills: Wide receiver John Brown (knee) and running back Zack Moss (toe), both sidelined in Week 5, practiced in full, and tight end Dawson Knox (calf ) did not practice.
■ Eagles: Cornerback Darius Slay is in the league’s concussion protocol, and wide receivers Desean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot) practiced in a limited capacity.
■ Steelers: Wide receiver Juju Smith-schuster (knee) and tight end Eric Ebron (hand) practiced in full, and wide receiver Diontae Johnson (back) was limited.
■ Packers: Wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), sidelined in Week 4 before Green Bay’s Week 5 bye, is practicing in full.
■ Patriots: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was activated from the reserve/covid-19 list after being sidelined since Oct. 7.
■ Bengals: Defensive end Sam Hubbard (elbow) was placed on IR.
■ Vikings: Running back Dalvin Cook (groin) remained sidelined at practice.
■ Jaguars: Wide receiver D.J. Chark (ankle) remained sidelined at practice.
■ Lions: Running back Adrian Peterson (illness) was held out of practice.