Can Josh Harris, Dri Archer Help Steelers Survive Possible Le'Veon Bell Absence?

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 27-17 defeat of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night to win the AFC North crown was bittersweet, for with it came a knee injury to the team's leading rusher, running back Le'Veon Bell.

The injury, stemming from a hit to his right knee by Bengals safety Reggie Nelson, is a hyperextension, reports ESPN's Scott Brown. Bell did not use crutches or wear a brace after the game, but Brown noted that Bell "had his right knee wrapped in ice and walked slowly to a cart that took him to the players' parking lot at Heinz Field."

That doesn't mean that Bell won't be able to play on Saturday. CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora said on Monday that swelling is the main concern, but even if he's not ready for the Wild Card Round, he shouldn't miss another game beyond that.

If Bell cannot play on Saturday, it will be a major blow to Pittsburgh's offense. Not only is Bell Pittsburgh's top—and mostly, only—running back, earning 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns on 290 carries, he's also their second-leading receiver, with 83 catches for 854 yards and three scores. He hasn't fumbled the ball once this season and has accounted for a combined 114 first downs.

Beyond Bell's prowess as both a runner and a receiver is his ability as a blocker in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Bell is the league's fourth-best pass-blocking running back, allowing zero sacks, two hits and zero hurries on 577 passing plays and 84 pass-blocking snaps. 

Without Bell, and barring the signing of a free agent, the Steelers will have to rely on rookies Dri Archer and Josh Harris.

Archer has been active for 12 games this season and has rushed 10 times for 40 yards and no touchdowns. That 4.0 yards-per-carry average seems impressive, but take away his longest rush of 15 yards, and he has nine carries for 25 yards and that average drops to 2.78 yards. He's also caught seven passes for 23 yards.

Rush Atts.	Rush Yds.	YPC	YPG	Rush TD	Fum.	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec.Yds.	YAC	Rec.TD
290	1,361	4.7	85.1	8	0	105	83	854	723	3

Harris was called up from the practice squad in November, but he has gotten carries in only two games. He has rushed nine times for 16 yards, giving him a 1.8 yards-per-carry average. He's yet to see a receiving target.

Neither will be able to replicate what Bell has done for the Steelers offense this season. Though Bell certainly has Todd Haley's system to thank, really all Haley has done is to increase Bell's responsibilities, and he's stepped up to master them. 

Just watching Archer—who whiffed on a blitz pickup that led to a hurried Ben Roethlisberger throwing an interception—and Harris after Bell's injury and it's clear that the pair will be a significant downgrade at the position.

They can run the ball, sure, but not as effectively as Bell. Neither will be as reliable in the passing game, and none can be trusted to keep the Ravens defensive front away from the quarterback.

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

All the Steelers can do is wait for Bell's injury to heal and weather the storm on Saturday night the best they can. At the very least, the Steelers have the comfort of knowing that Bell isn't their only heavy-hitter on offense.

In fact, running the ball might not be the secret to a Steelers victory. Passing the ball, especially against a cobbled-together Ravens secondary that is giving up a 24th-ranked 248.7 passing yards per game, should be the best way for the Steelers to gain yards and points.

It won't be as easy as it was against the Bengals, who have only 20 sacks on the season and did not get to Roethlisberger once. There will still be protection concerns if the Steelers go high-volume in passing, and Archer and Harris will be called upon to run the ball to help shake the Ravens' inevitable pressure.

But if Pittsburgh's offensive line can hold up to Baltimore's pass-rush and Roethlisberger can confidently connect with Antonio Brown, Heath Miller, Martavis Bryant and the rest of his receivers, then the Steelers have more than a good shot of winning convincingly even with Bell on the sideline.

Harris and Archer will have their roles to play on Saturday, but their combined effort won't compare to what a healthy Bell would bring to the table. Fortunately for the Steelers, that might be all they need out of the pair of rookies while the passing offense rules the day against the Ravens.