The NFL playoffs get started this weekend and in the wild card games for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, Le'Veon Bell will be out for the Steelers while AJ Green could be limited for the Bengals after missing practice this week with a concussion heading into the matchup with the Colts Sunday.
The AFC North divisional game is in Pittsburgh between the Steelers and the Ravens and according to Pro Football Talk, Bell will be out for the matchup after injuring his knee last week. Pro Football Talk reports that Bell is dealing with a hyperextended knee and will be out, which is why the Steelers brought in Ben Tate and now he is likely to get some carries. The team also has Dri Archer and they have a tough matchup, as the Ravens have a very solid rush defense.
Green was able to practice earlier in the week, but he could end up missing the game or could be limited for the Bengals with a concussion. Green was limited in practice earlier in the week and he is currently listed as doubtful for the game against the Colts. That would be a huge loss for Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense if he can't play and that would elevate Mohamed Sanu into a more central role. Jeremy Hill has played very well and he has seemingly passed Giovani Bernard on the depth chart.
Bell was one of the top offensive players in the NFL this season with over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage and his loss is a big one for the Steelers. The matchup on Saturday night starts at 8:15 pm ET on NBC and has the Ravens visiting the Steelers after sneaking into the playoffs as the number six seed. Bell rushed for 1361 yards this season and he was second on the team in receptions with 83 and he had nearly 900 yards on the year through the air.
Green is a huge part of the Bengals offense and losing him would be massive as Cincy tries to break this recent run of losing in the playoffs. Green is dealing with a concussion that he came down with in the game last week against the Steelers and he is also dealing with a biceps injury from the previous game against the Broncos. Green has already missed time in four games while dealing with a toe injury, finishing the season with 69 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns.
