Saints free agent RB Bell is to join Eagles

Former New Orleans Saints free agent running back Mike Bell is to put on the Philadelphia Eagles jersey soon as he has received a one-year deal from the Eagles. According to the latest reports, Saints are likely not to match the offer and thus the Eagles will not have to compensate the Saints for signing away Bell.

Bell is turning 27 years old next month, at the right age to reach career goals as a running back. His main role in the Eagles will be backup to LeSean McCoy, who became the leading role in backfield after former All-Pro Brian Westbrook was released last month.

After being signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2006, Bell ran for 677 yards and eight TDs as a rookie. However, he was switched to fullback the next season and had less playing time. He was released by the Broncos in July 2008 and was soon invited to join the Houston Texans’ training camp but unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury that caused him to be waived a few weeks later. He joined the Saints during the 2008 regular season but could hardly give much impression among other star running backs including Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and Deuce McAllister. His best time came in last season’s opener when he ran for a career-high 143 yards as backup to starter Bush while playing against the Detroit Lions. During the remaining games of the season, he ran for 75 or more yards for only three more times.

Saints RB Bell to miss Sunday game against Bills

The New Orleans Saints was to rotate with running backs after leading rusher Mike Bell missed practice all week with a sprained MCL in his right knee. They will not only do so in practice, but also probably in this Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Since it has been confirmed that Bell will not play in the game against the Bells, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Lynell Hamliton will be the trio of running back to rotate in the game, as they had done in practice since Bell was out with injury. Not any single of the three has been considered to be able to play the same role of Bell, who was the Saints’ most productive runner through the first two games, rushing for 229 yards and a touchdown.

Along with Bell, wide receiver Lance Moore and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy have also been ruled out for Sunday’s game as they are still staying on Saints’ injury report, with Moore injured on right hamstring and Clancy hurting right knee.