WATCH: Key trend in Le'Veon Bell's favor for elite Jets debut
The New York Jets completely changed the NFL landscape when they lured running back Le’Veon Bell to the Big Apple this past offseason, but the organization has yet to see even the smallest of signs that the four-year, $52 million investment they made in him was worth the considerable amount they spent.
The two-time All-Pro running back didn’t play a single down in any of New York’s four preseason games and, when you include the amount of time he missed last year due to his highly-publicized contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell will have not played a snap in 602 days when he takes the field against the Buffalo Bills.
Based on the above, it’s understandable that, in some circles, there’s a mounting concern that Bell may need more time than expected to “shake off the rust,” so to speak.
However, whether it was due to suspension or a season-ending injury, Bell is no stranger to playing well after a prolonged absence. In fact, the 27-year-old tailback has actually been at his very best when he makes his return to the field.
The figures below are Bell’s production over his first four games after an extended absence, including both time missed due to injury (2013, 2015) and suspension (2015, 2016). The four-game sample size was used to reduce any impact that wear and tear may have on production:
First Four Games After Absence
- 2013: 64 ATT, 208 yds, 3 TD, 13 Rec, 82 yds (Days between snaps: 274)
- 2015: 86 ATT, 390 yds, 3 TD, 18 Rec, 107 yds (Days between snaps: 273)
- 2016: 69 ATT, 344 yds, 0 TD, 30 Rec, 245 yds (Days between snaps: 336)
Total: 219 ATT, 942 yds (4.3 YPC), 6 TD, 61 rec, 434 yards
Total Excluding Rookie Year: 155 ATT, 734 yards, (4.7 YPC) 48 rec, 352 yards
Per-game average: 91.75 yards rushing, 44 yards receiving
Bell’s initial production in 2013 - his first year in the league - doesn’t stand out much, but that can easily be attributed to the growing pains that come with a rookie’s transition to the next level. If you take his rookie numbers out of the equation, the 136 yards from scrimmage he averages per game in the above sample size is pretty eye-popping, to say the least.
It goes without saying that playing after 600-plus days since his last snap is uncharted territory for Bell, so it’s still a mystery as to whether or not he’ll be the same dominant player in his first game back. Yet, the fact that he has a history of putting up elite numbers immediately upon his return should provide Jets fans with some semblance of optimism.
