PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is entering a crucial stretch in his recovery from two torn ligaments in his right knee. He plans to spend the next six weeks conquering the mental hurdles that come with knee tears. He's a free agent in 2017 but doesn't want to talk about his contract until his knee gets right.
And Bell is thinking big in his recovery -- 2,097 yards big.
That's the rushing total by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in 2012, an all-time performance regardless of health. Peterson posted those yards a year removed from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Peterson owned that year. He was captivating.
Bell, who tore his medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, is drawing rehab inspiration from Peterson's work.
Bell, considered one of the game's best after 2,200-plus offensive yards in 2014, has talked with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin about Peterson's response from injury.
"He feels Adrian Peterson is on his Mount Rushmore [because of that season]," Bell said. "The way he responded to the injury, he gave me encouragement."
Though Bell didn't tear his ACL, he feels drawn to standout players in his position group who have dealt with injuries. He admires Los Angeles Rams tailback Todd Gurley for his big rookie year after tearing his ACL as a junior at Georgia.
Bell said he plans to reach out to Peterson at some point to pick his brain. He wants to know about Peterson's brace management -- when to wear it, when to take it off.
"People who overcome injuries, that's how they show how much work they put in," Bell said.