Le'Veon Bell or DeAngelo Williams?
Why not both?
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hinted Wednesday morning there's a good chance both running backs are on the field at the same time Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, as Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense attempts to kickstart the passing game.
Bell returns this week from his three-week suspension. Williams scored three touchdowns and collected 266 total yards over the first three weeks of the season. When Bell was active last season, Williams went effectively unused, with 13 carries and one catch in a five-game span.
With injuries and ineffectiveness haunting the receiving corps, Roethlisberger said the Steelers are "dabbling" with ways to use both Bell and Williams. Slot receiver Eli Rogers (turf toe) is "very questionable" for Sunday, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
"In a way, yes," he said. "Listen, we're not going to put him at wide receiver and use DeAngelo at running back, but we will, I think, have them both on the field and move them out of the backfield.
"We're not going to take RB off the front of his name and put WR, but I definitely think he is one of our best receivers."
Roethlisberger said Bell is "one of the best in the business at what he does. He can block. He can catch. He can run after catch. Excited to get him back out there." In 2014, his last healthy season, Bell rushed for 1,361 yards and had 83 catches for 854 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Roethlisberger said he doesn't anticipate Bell needs many reps this week to return to game form.
"I don't foresee there being any issues," he said. "If there is, we'll iron them out in the next couple days. There are some news things we've put in since he's been gone. I fully expect him to pick up on it and be ready to go."
