Jets RB Le'Veon Bell won't play until Week 1 of the regular season against the Bills, but he said on Wednesday that he doesn't think there will be any negative impact to not playing during the preseason -- even after sitting out all of 2018.
"I don't think me getting four plays in the preseason is gonna help me in Week 1 for the game," Bell said. "It's gonna be me just getting ready for playing and practice. When the game comes, then I'll be ready."
Bell said that his teammates will be aggressive with him in practice and go after the ball in order to help him get ready for game situations, adding that he just wants to "go out there and show everyone I'm the same player."
The plan the Jets have in place with Bell is identical to the one the Giants have in place for RB Saquon Barkley, who will also be kept on ice for the entire preseason.
The Jets also recently lost Avery Williamson for the season during a preseason game due to a torn ACL -- something head coach Adam Gase took the blame for.
In addition to being peppered with questions about not playing during the preseason, Bell was asked about QB Sam Darnold, who he said can "of course" be a Top 5 QB in the NFL.
"I hate watching Sam play because I want to be in there with him," Bell said. "I just want to be in there because I know how special he is. ... Just watching him each and every week, he will continue to grow."
Bell praised Darnold for being able to make quick reads, being mobile, and marveled at how he's able to get off some of the throws he unleashes -- calling him "unorthodox" in a good way.
"He's such a special player that he can do that, he can make plays like that," Bell said. "The ball, it just comes out so crazy. I'm ready to play with him and it'll be fun."