Le'Veon Bell is one step closer toward making his Ravens debut. The former All-Pro running back was activated by the Ravens off the practice squad prior to Sunday's game against the Broncos. In a corresponding move, the Ravens placed defensive end Derek Wolfe on injured reserve. Wolfe had already been ruled out of Sunday's game with back and hip injuries.
A whopping nine Ravens are questionable for Sunday's game. That list includes quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed two practices earlier this week with a knee injury. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) has been ruled out.
With J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill out with season-ending injuries, Jackson has been used a considerable amount in the running game while helping keep Baltimore No. 1 in the NFL in rushing. Jackson leads the Ravens with 251 yards and two touchdowns while averaging a league-best 7.2 yards per carry. Ty'Son Williams is second on the team with 164 yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Veterans Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman have combined to run for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with the Steelers, Bell ran for just 328 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season while playing for the Jets and Chiefs. Bell was considered the NFL's most versatile back from 2014-17. During that span, the former Michigan State Spartan set Steelers franchise records for the most catches by a running back in a single season (85), receiving yards by a running back (854), most total yards by a Steelers rookie running back (1,259), most yards rushing in a regular-season game (236 vs. the Bills in 2016) and the two highest rushing totals in a postseason game (167 vs. the Dolphins in the 2016 wild card round and 170 vs. the Chiefs in the divisional round). Bell's efforts earned him team MVP honors in 2014 and in 2016.
The Ravens' offense will have its hands full against a Broncos defense that is currently first in the NFL in points allowed, second in rushing yards allowed, and first in red-zone efficiency. Von Miller is back to being his dominant self after missing the entire 2020 season with an injury. Miler has four of the Broncos' eight sacks through three games.