The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't known for throwing rookies into the fire, but Le'Veon Bell is a different story.
Bell and Isaac Redman were listed as co-starters at running back on the team's unofficial depth chart, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday.
The designation says much more about Bell. He missed Saturday's preseason loss to the New York Giants with knee stiffness, but he's expected to start Monday's tilt against the Washington Redskins. Bell has earned genuine praise in his first career training camp, and it's his job to lose, no matter what the depth chart says.
Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley was married to a stop-and-start committee approach last season -- and Redman (and Jonathan Dwyer) will see snaps -- but we expect Bell to slide into featured-back duties. The Steelers chose him over Eddie Lacy in the draft, and coach Mike Tomlin said of Bell last week, "I think how he is running the ball speaks for itself."
August depth charts don't mean squat; Pittsburgh's roll call proves as much. The Steelers believe they've found a difference-maker in their backfield. Barring a collapse, Bell will carry the load in his first NFL season.
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