Saints RB Mike Bell May Miss Significant Playing Time With Right MCL Sprain

Just when you thought all was well with the Saints run game Bell goes down early in the fourth quarter of the Saints 48-22 win over the Eagles with an apparent MCL sprain, the severity of which is unknown to this point.

It may be as far out as Wednesday before the team discloses the degree of the sprain and subsequent recovery time.

Ironically this is the same type of injury that has sidelined running back Pierre Thomas for the last four weeks. Thomas was active against Philadelphia but played a very limited role, making appearances on special teams and one offensive play only.

Bell, who rushed for 143 yards last week against Detroit, was on pace to see another 100 yard rushing performance against a stout Philly defense before the injury. Bell rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries including a seven yard touchdown run in the third quarter, a 5.1 yard per carry average.

In two games this season Bell has rushed for 230 total yards and two touchdowns and was receiving more of the work load as time progressed.

Bell however felt he could have returned to the game after the injury and feels confident the sprain is not severe enough to limit him for very long.

“It’s definitely not an ACL,” insisted Bell, who said he was “more scared than anything else” when he went down with the injury, then limped off the field with help from the training staff. “I think I could have gone back in.”

We’ve heard that before though as PT said the exact same thing when he hurt his knee and he still is not at 100 percent, running backs are the shining example of optimism apparently.

If Bell is not ready for next Sundays game against the Bills than PT will get the start beside Bush as the Saints “primary” back, hopefully his knee will be brace free by then.

We’ll keep you posted on any news regarding Bell’s injury, as soon as the team releases a statement we will let you know.

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