NFL Rumors: Green Bay Packers Signing Free Agent Joique Bell To Boost RB Depth

By Carlo Monzon
Green Bay Packers
Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs seven yards for a touchdown past Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas (48) during the first quarter at Lambeau Field.  Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports

For a while now, the Green Bay Packers have been suffering in the backfield following the injuries of their running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks. As a solution, the team will reportedly turn to the free agency pool to sign Joique Bell.

Week 6 and 7 of the 2016 NFL season have been hard for the Packers after losing their main running backs during this period. Starks, who is the backup to Lacy, underwent surgery on October 16 to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.

Lacy, on the other hand, was placed on injured reserve following the game against the Chicago Bears.

Due to Lacy and Starks' injuries, the Packers now only have Aaron Ripkowski and Don Jackson in their running back bench. This lack of depth has prompted the team to appoint wide receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery to serve as emergency RBs.

Due to the team's current bench situation, it seems that team has decided to sign Bell, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Hopefully, with Bell on board, he'll be able to help out the team until Starks and Lacy returns. But, since these two are expected to miss out a couple of more weeks, Bell will be able to see ample playing time with the Packers.

Bell has been a veteran in the NFL. He started his career in the league as an undrafted free agent for the Buffalo Bills in 2010.

After he was released from the Detroit Lions roster in February of this year, he was picked up by the Chicago Bears. However, after more than a month of playing for the team, he was eventually waived on Oct. 24.

Bell was originally brought in by the Bears to serve as a replacement for injured Jeremy Langford. But, since he was released, this means that the Chicago franchise is expecting Langford to return soon.

As for the Packers, they will most likely appoint Bell as the starter or at least a backup running back based on his veteran experience and the type of players they currently have on their bench.

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