Injured Reserve For Kenny Bell?
September 4th, 2015
A prominent Bucs beat writer says Kenny Bell’s season may be over.
With no preseason catches and hamstring woes that kept him out of the last two games, rookie wide receiver Kenny Bell is in a tough spot.
Undrafted rookies Adam Humphries and Rannell Hall have outshined him. And the Bucs can’t count on him.
That’s a bad combination for a fifth-round draft pick like Bell, who is looking up on the depth chart at receivers Russell Shepard, Louis Murphy, Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.
So what do the Bucs do with Bell when final cuts are made tomorrow afternoon?
Tampa Bay Times beat writer Rick Stroud hopped on WDAE-AM 620 this morning and suggested Bell is headed for injured reserve, possibly the injured-reserve-designated-for-return label. Each team can place one guy on IR that is permitted to come back in Week 9 but not sooner.
If Bell goes on traditional injured reserve, then he would be done for the season.
Tampa Bay might fear Bell, if they outright cut him, would get claimed by another team before he could be re-signed Sunday for the Bucs’ practice squad. If that’s the case, then they might shelve Bell on IR for the year to protect their interest.
And then there’s the bigger mystery. How bad is his hamstring?
September 4th, 2015 at 8:50 am
If we cut him the Panthers would snag him quickly.
September 4th, 2015 at 8:52 am
Wouldn’t that slot be reserved for Dotson or Spence?
September 4th, 2015 at 8:53 am
Only times I’ve seen Kenny Bell’s name mentioned was to note that he roomed with Jameis during training camp. Other than that, he hasn’t done anything to stand out.
If the coaches decide he has good potential, then he could very well be headed to IR. We’re fairly well off on WRs at this point, so don’t see much to gain by using our IR-designated-to-return option on him. That’s a great wildcard and we may need it shortly.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:04 am
@TampaBayBucFan – Dotson probably just stays on the roster like any other player. Spence might get that designation. Yes. He’s already working out significantly.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:06 am
That would be a waste. We should save that injured-reserve-designated-for-return label for someone more important…because the need WILL arise this year.
I say cut him, sign him to PS and let him heal up. No one will swipe him off waivers if he is injured.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:07 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Dotson is a good one to save it for.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:08 am
Regular IR would work too.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:08 am
Does PUP still exist?
September 4th, 2015 at 9:11 am
@ Bonzai
I am unsure about the rules for regular IR……if you really don’t want to lose a player that would work…..he would have to wait a year to play….if then..
September 4th, 2015 at 9:20 am
I’m sorry i’m lost will all this practice squad, IR list and so on.
Can someone explain me the differents options and the consquences to be on each of them ?
September 4th, 2015 at 9:32 am
@Joehelideloxley,
Regular IR: out for the whole year, still belongs to the Bucs, but cannot play or practice again until next season.
Designated to return IR: one player per team, can return to play this season but not until week 9 or later
Practice squad: the player first has to be cut from the team then clear waivers and not be claimed by any of the other 31 teams. I believe a player that has more than 3 years (?) in the NFL cannot be placed on the practice squad
September 4th, 2015 at 9:34 am
BuccaneerBonzai
If I recall – plenty of teams were interested in Bell during the draft. So it wouldn’t be outside the norm – for another team to acquire his rights. Teams pick up prospects all the time – with waiver/injury settlements. Just to stash them away.
I say put him on (regular) IR – Redshirt the kid for the 1st year – Give Dotson the (temp) IR
Et Ecerta: I would Spence to IR as well
September 4th, 2015 at 9:35 am
I’m starting to believe that Spence will either be put on IR or cut. He has been replaced and isn’t as versitile as Bowers or Gholston….and…..one or both of them might not even make it.
September 4th, 2015 at 9:44 am
@TBBF,
I agree with you. I say IR, Spence is a decent player and has shown some promise, so I doubt they are willing to loose him. Therefor he may be perfect for IR
@Bonzai,
Not sure, but I think PUP is only used in off season. Come the regular season the team has a choice of moving the player to IR or keeping him on the regular season roster, but PUP is gone then. Maybe someone smarter than me can correct or confirm this
September 4th, 2015 at 9:52 am
Tampabaybucfan
Yeah, plus there’s gonna be a few real good prospects that will be released. Like the kid out of Cincinnati – DeShawn Williams. Granted shined against our guards. But he did the same thing against Indianapolis – The kid raises hell, whenever he’s on the field.
I’ll also say this – I’d take James Wilder Jr. over Jorvorskie Lane -anyday. This kid is flying all over the field on special teams- Real solid catching the ball out of the backfield-runs downhill with aggression – and he’s very good short yardage lead blocker.
Add him to H-Back spot
September 4th, 2015 at 9:58 am
Dream 2015 backfield
• RB Doug Martin | Zach Zenner | Mike James | Jarryd Hayne
• HB James Wilder Jr.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:09 am
Jarryd Hayne (RB/KR/PR)
• Beastly Special Teams Returner & Gunner
• Powerful Running Back w/soft hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNjlsSapv2o
San Fran, looks like their rebuilding. They’ve been trading away prospects for conditional picks for the last two months. This kid is worth the acquisition
September 4th, 2015 at 10:11 am
Bell will get snatched up if they try to sneak him onto the practice squad. I bet at least 5 or more teams would put a claim in for him. Licht knows this – it was reported that he got multiple calls/comments from other GMs after drafting Bell congratulating him on getting such a good prospect in the 5th round.
I don’t know what happened to Bell as he reportedly looked good in OTAs and did look good at the start of training camp. Then he just kind of disappeared as a receiver the last 3 weeks. – although he did make a couple good plays as a gunner on punt coverage in pre-season games. I’m not sure when the hamstring injury occurred or how much that has effected him.
I would be surprised to see Bell cut though. I imagine they will keep him through final cuts and then quickly assign him to IR which lets him come back next year and compete for a spot then.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:20 am
If Adam Humphrise makes the team and Kenny Bell does not. I will be absolutely furious with our team incompetence.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:21 am
I’m going to revise my prediction from yesterday regarding who makes the final roster at WR.
UDFAs Hall and Humphries both deserve a roster spot. Both have had great training camps and pre-seasons – and last night sealed the deal for both of them IMO.
WRs will be Vjax, Evans, Murphy, Russell Shepard, Hall and Humphries. Hall and Bobby Rainey will be the returners. Bell will probably make the roster as a 7th receiver – but will quickly go to IR which will clear a spot for an incoming waiver wire acquisition.
Clay and Dye will be cut and both brought back to the practice squad if they don’t get claimed off waivers.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:36 am
Bowers > Spence
September 4th, 2015 at 10:38 am
Pickgrin … Just can’t see the Bucs keeping a 7th WR (Bell) on the roster. Too many other needs in terms of depth, OLine and DEs especially. Can see him be moved to IR however to keep him available for next year.
Doubt that either Clay or Dye will show up on the practice squad. Bucs just don’t need them for depth at this point, and there will be LOTS of other, more talented bodies available after Saturday.
September 4th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Hall > Bell is lunacy.
September 4th, 2015 at 11:51 am
DB55 Says:
Hall > Bell is lunacy.
———————————————–
Hall outplayed Bell at receiver by a wide margin in training camp and pre-season games. Coaches can only go by what they see on tape in practice and games. College tape becomes less relevant as you see what a guy can do against NFL competition. Tape says that right now Hall is definitely better and more reliable a pass catcher than Bell. (Humphries too). Gotta go with what you see. Bell may be a better “prospect”, but Hall has been showing up and making catches day in and day out consistently ever since he got here.
I was hopeful that Bell could be our 3rd receiver early on – but he honestly has not played well enough to even make the team. But do I believe they still like his potential which makes me think they will assign Bell to IR and give him another shot next year.
Hall and Humphries both deserve to make this team based on what they have put on tape over the last 5 weeks. If either gets cut – they will almost assuredly be playing in live games for another NFL team this year.
September 4th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
What about the (PUP) list? I was under the impression that a player could return after 6 weeks on the (PUP) list.
September 4th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
I think Bowers was injured last night, so I bet he’ll get a settlement. Not good enough to stick if injured. Not worth IR.
@LUVMYBUCS
I would take James Wilder Jr. in a heartbeat. I want a good lead blocking FB badly. And the history is there too.
@Fsuking
Adam Humphries did pretty good. Better than Bell has. I personally prefer Bell as well, but he’s injured, so what can you do? IR might indeed be the solution.
September 4th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I didn’t like Humphries on kick returns. I mean, he was solid, got some yards…but he is waaaay too slow to return it for a TD.
The search continues.
Maybe Hester will be cut.