GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers signed veteran running back Kahlil Bell on Monday, according to an NFL source.
The Packers were down to just two halfbacks -- Eddie Lacy and James Starks -- after they placed rookie Johnathan Franklin on injured reserve last Wednesday because of a neck injury.
Bell worked out for the Packers once last season, but they did not sign him. They brought him back in for a workout on Monday, according to the source, and signed him to a contract for the remainder of this season shortly after his session. Bell would be a free agent after this season.
The 5-foot-11, 219-pound Bell had the best game of his career against the Packers on Christmas Day 2011. As a member of the Chicago Bears, Bell rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries. It remains Bell’s only 100-yard rushing performance in 26 career regular-season games. He also had four catches for 38 yards in that game.
He also has some experience as a kick returner. Most of it came during preseason with the Bears.
Bell went to training camp with the New York Jets this past summer but was released during the final cuts. He played in three games for the Jets last season, sandwiched around two different stints with the Bears. Of his 26 career games, he played in 23 of those with the Bears.
He has a career rushing average of 4.3 yards in limited work. He has a total of 148 carries in his career.
The Packers will have to make a corresponding roster move to clear a spot for Bell. It was not immediately known what that move was. When they placed Franklin on injured reserve last week, they promoted practice squad linebacker Victor Aiyewa.
