Ravens promote RB Le’Veon Bell to 53-man roster, sign G James Carpenter and LB Joe Thomas to practice squad
Ravens running back Le’Veon Bell has been promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, the team announced Tuesday.
Bell has been on the Ravens’ practice squad since signing on Sept. 7 following season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
Bell was called up from the practice squad for two games, the maximum number of promotions a team is allowed. For practice squad players to play after their second call-up, they must be added to their team’s 53-man roster.
Bell made his Ravens debut in the victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 4, rushing for 11 yards on four carries, and was elevated from the practice squad again for Sunday’s 34-6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, in which he rushed for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Bell will now be part of a Ravens running back group that consists of Ty’Son Williams, Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray. The Ravens are currently fourth in the league in rushing, averaging 155.2 yards per game.
Depending on the severity of Murray’s ankle injury, which he suffered in the third quarter against the Chargers, Bell could see his production increase.
The Ravens also signed veteran guard James Carpenter and inside linebacker Joe Thomas to the practice squad while releasing outside linebacker Chris Smith.
Carpenter, a 2011 first-round pick, has made 121 starts over his 10-year NFL career but has not appeared in a game this season. He played the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, who released him in March.
Carpenter is expected to add depth to the Ravens’ offensive line, which has been hit hard with injuries. Rookie left guard Ben Cleveland is on short-term injured reserve with a knee injury, and All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley was placed on season-ending injured reserve and will undergo another ankle surgery.
Thomas played five games and started two this season for the Houston Texans, who released him Saturday. Thomas previously played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers after being undrafted out of South Carolina State in 2014.
