Jets newcomer Le’Veon Bell wants some contact from teammates during practice

Throughout preseason, the New York Jets have gone the precautionary route with star running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Jets have avoided playing him at all in the preseason. They are being sensible with their sole focus on having him ready to go for the regular season. With that in mind, Bell has voiced that he is hoping to the most he can out of practice in the meantime, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.

Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?

“I try to do that intentionally, just so I can feel it,” he said. “A lot of times you’ll start seeing guys get a little frustrated and they’ll try to hit me back — and that’s what I need. They won’t take me to the ground and they won’t go for my legs. Hitting me up top, things like that, I need all that.”

Bell’s request is simply to get the feel of contact on the field. He had missed the entire 2018 season that took away the feel for how it is to get tackled and hit by opposing players. There is simply nothing that replaces real contact in the game of football.

Read: Packers Lose WR Equanimeous St. Brown For Up To Six Weeks with Foot Injury

At the same time, the Jets are looking to avoid any setbacks with Bell in order to keep him ready for this upcoming season. He figures to play a major part in their offensive game plan due to his skill set as a runner and elite passing game option.

Ultimately, Bell is simply hoping to get all he can get ahead of his first campaign in New York.