Chris Bell

Chris Bell News

Chris Bell a Dark Horse Candidate to Lead Dolphins in Receiving Yards

Miami Dolphins beat writer Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post lists rookie wide receiver Chris Bell leading the team in receiving yards as one of his "bold predictions" for the 2026 season. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Bell had his final collegiate season cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in late November. While the injury was originally expected to sideline Bell early in his rookie season, the 22-year-old was able to suit up for Miami's final preseason game and now appears to be on track to be ready for Week 1. Bell was a highly productive player at Louisville, recording 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games before getting injured. The Dolphins wide receiver room should also offer plenty of opportunities for Bell, as the team enters 2026 without an established number one pass-catcher. As a late-round target in drafts, Bell profiles as a worthy dart throw for fantasy managers.

Sep 5, 2026 7:49 AM EST

Chris Bell Still Needs to Get into Football Shape

Miami Dolphins rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell played 14 offensive snaps in the team's preseason finale last Friday and caught two of his five targets for 22 yards as he closes out his rehab from a torn ACL. However, head coach Jeff Hafley said Bell is still working his way back, saying, "I think he would tell you he needs to continue to get in football shape," according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post. "If he continues to improve, get in shape, then my expectation is we see him on the field," Hafley added. It sounds as though the 22-year-old has a chance to be active as a part of the offense in Week 1 of the regular season in an offense that has one of the thinnest WR depth charts in the league. Bell is competing primarily with fellow rookie Caleb Douglas for the WR3 role behind Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert, so he has a prime chance for rookie-year targets from new Dolphins QB Malik Willis. Bell can likely be avoided in 12-team fantasy leagues, but with opportunity and likely positive game script most weeks, he could quickly emerge as a trendy waiver-wire pickup if he continues to ascend and build trust with Willis.

Sep 1, 2026 3:29 PM EST

Chris Bell Leads Dolphins in Targets on Friday, Set for Key Role in Miami?

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell saw his first preseason action on Friday, recording two catches for 22 yards on five targets in his team's 17-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. A third-round pick out of Louisville, Bell missed all of the spring and the beginning of training camp while working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered last November. However, the Dolphins activated him in mid-August, and it now appears he should be ready for the start of the regular season. Bell was a highly productive player in college, hauling in 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games before getting hurt last season. Miami also traded away veteran wideout Tutu Atwell to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, which could clear the way for Bell to play a starting role early in his rookie year. As a late-round sleeper, Bell could be a worthy target for fantasy managers.

Aug 29, 2026 7:09 AM EST

Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason Finale

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the team's preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Bell is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in November of last season. The third-round pick was activated from the Non-Football-Injury list on August 17th and has ramped up so quickly that he could play Friday night. In his senior season at Louisville, Bell had 67 receptions for 871 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games before tearing his ACL. If he suits up against the Falcons, it would be a strong sign he will be ready for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders. With fellow rookie Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington as the two current starters, Bell has a legitimate opportunity to lead this offense in receiving this season.

Aug 25, 2026 5:39 PM EST

Chris Bell Out of No-Contact Jersey on Monday

Miami Dolphins rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) was out of the red, no-contact jersey at training camp practice on Monday, according to David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. It did not take long for Bell to ramp back up to a full-go after the Dolphins activated him from the Non-Football Injury list last Monday. The 22-year-old is coming off knee surgery but should be ready to go for Week 1 of his rookie season, barring a setback in the next few weeks. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Dolphins play it safe and keep Bell out of their preseason finale this Friday against the Atlanta Falcons, but the talented rookie will have an opportunity to quickly become a key piece of the offense in Miami when considering that Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington are their two top receivers. For now, the Louisville product is primarily a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues as he competes for targets behind Tolbert and Washington.

Aug 24, 2026 11:27 AM EST

Chris Bell Ramping Up Practice Work

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) will remain in a red non-contact jersey Tuesday, but head coach Jeff Hafley said the rookie is set to do a little more after making his practice debut Monday. Bell was activated from the non-football injury list Monday as he works back from the torn ACL he suffered at Louisville on Nov. 22. He only took part in individual drills in his first session back. The next step is team work while still wearing red, though Hafley said he doesn't expect Bell to practice against the Giants or play in Saturday's preseason game. Miami is taking this one slowly. Bell, the 94th overall pick in April, caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season before the injury ended his year. There's still no clear date for full contact. Bell getting back onto the field matters, but he's not close enough yet for fantasy managers to count on an immediate role.

Aug 18, 2026 9:40 AM EST

Chris Bell Activated from NFI List

The Miami Dolphins have activated rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) from the non-football injury list, and the first-year player could soon begin practicing with the team. Once viewed as a first-round talent, Bell tore his ACL in December and fell to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His rare combination of size and speed allowed him to dominate in his final collegiate season at Louisville, racking up over 900 yards on 72 receptions, and while he will now be playing catch-up to begin his NFL career, he could find a mid-season role in a wide-open Dolphins receiver room. Fellow rookie and third-round pick Caleb Douglas has been a training camp standout, and Malik Washington led the team with three catches in Friday's preseason opener, but with the third receiver spot currently being held by Jalen Tolbert, there is a path for Bell to crack the starting lineup by season's end, making him a player to at least remember in the closing rounds of deep drafts.

Aug 17, 2026 5:39 AM EST

Chris Bell Could Play in Preseason

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley suggested that rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) could play in the preseason. When asked about Bell's current status, Hafley said, "He's progressing nicely. He's accelerating, decelerating; he's able to cut. It would be a huge benefit if we can get him some work in the preseason." Bell is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in November 2025. While it seemed likely the rookie receiver would miss time in the regular season, Hafley appeared optimistic that he's improving, and fantasy managers could take advantage of a great value if Bell is healthy enough to start the season.

Aug 7, 2026 9:12 AM EST

Chris Bell Still a Long Way From Joining Practice

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) remains a long way from joining practice as he continues recovering from a torn ACL, according to C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik did not provide a timetable for the rookie, who remains on the active/non-football injury list. Bell tore the ACL in his left knee during Louisville's November 22 loss to SMU and underwent surgery in December. Miami still selected him 94th overall in April after he caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games last season. Bell has not practiced with the Dolphins, and Slowik's comments suggest his return is not close. There is no confirmation that he will miss the entire season, but fantasy managers should not expect him to contribute early in his rookie year.

Aug 4, 2026 9:57 AM EST

Dolphins Place Rookie Receiver Chris Bell on NFI List

The Miami Dolphins announced on Tuesday that they placed rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) on the Non-Football Injury list. Bell will not be ready for training camp this summer like he originally predicted after having surgery for a torn ACL last December that he suffered in his final collegiate season at the University of Louisville. Bell could get himself up to speed for the 2026 regular-season opener if he continues to progress in his rehab this summer, but nothing is guaranteed, and the Dolphins probably aren't going to rush him. Once Bell rejoins the rest of the team, he'll be competing for a depth role in a wide-open receiver's room with the likes of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman. Before his torn ACL in 2025 at Louisville, Bell caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games played. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can ignore Bell for now, while he's a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper formats with plenty of opportunity in the short- and long-term in Miami.

Jul 21, 2026 12:26 PM EST

Chris Bell Carries Clear Appeal for Dynasty Rebuilds Entering 2026

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) may not be ready for the start of the 2026 season as he works his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in late November. However, the 22-year-old carries clear long-term upside. Before the injury, Bell recorded 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games for the University of Louisville. Entering 2026, Miami features a trio of underwhelming veteran options atop its wide receiver depth chart in Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Malik Washington. Alongside fellow rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr., Bell could have a chance to establish himself as a prominent piece of the Dolphins' passing game once healthy. For dynasty managers who are currently rebuilding, Bell is a logical target in rookie drafts.

Jul 9, 2026 10:50 AM EST

Chris Bell Enters 2026 as a Priority Dynasty Stash Candidate

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) may miss the start of the 2026 season as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in late November. Despite the injury, the Dolphins used a third-round pick on Bell in the 2026 NFL Draft after he recorded 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games in his final season at Louisville. Given his uncertain return timeline, dynasty managers should temper their expectations for Bell's short-term production impact. However, the 22-year-old could be well-positioned to emerge as a key piece in Miami's long-term plans. The Dolphins enter 2026 with the underwhelming veteran trio of Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, and Tutu Atwell at the top of their wide receiver depth chart. Along with fellow 2026 wide receiver draftees Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr., Bell could be in line for a significant role in Miami upon his return from injury. In dynasty formats, managers should be looking to stash Bell for his long-term upside.

Jun 15, 2026 8:58 AM EST

No Timetable for Chris Bell's Return from Knee Surgery

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) is without a timetable for his return to the field, per C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald. Bell is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in late November while playing his final collegiate season at the University of Louisville. Despite the injury, Miami bet on Bell's long-term upside by selecting him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old may have been drafted higher without the injury concern, as he collected over 1,600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns across 24 games over his final two seasons at Louisville. The Dolphins enter 2026 with plenty of opportunity in their wide receiver room, but it may be hard for Bell to break through as a rookie without a fully healthy training camp and preseason. Bell's dynasty upside remains high, but his redraft value for 2026 is questionable.

May 27, 2026 12:40 PM EST

Dolphins Take Another Receiver in Chris Bell at 94th Overall

The Miami Dolphins selected Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) with the 94th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. All four of Bell's collegiate seasons came at Louisville, and he had a total of 2,166 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 151 catches in his four seasons. Despite tearing his ACL in 2025, Bell finished the year with 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games played. At 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, he will give new quarterback Malik Willis a big target down the field and in the red zone whenever he's ready to resume playing. He will join rookie Caleb Douglas in the passing attack for a Dolphins team that really needed to add to their receiver room in this year's draft after cutting Tyreek Hill (knee) and trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. Bell and Douglas will join Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell. The rookie wideouts will have plenty of opportunity, but Bell's short-term fantasy value is clouded by the fact that he could be rehabbing his knee into the start of the regular season this fall. Because of his size, Bell has often been compared to A.J. Brown.

Apr 24, 2026 7:00 PM EST