Chris Bell Rehab Update Raises Stakes for Saints Draft Plans
Chris Bell is drawing fresh attention as his rehab moves faster than expected after the ACL injury he suffered in Louisville’s 38-6 loss to SMU on Nov. 22. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said Bell is ahead of schedule and has been running at more than 18 mph, a sign that his recovery is progressing well. The update matters because Bell was once viewed as a potential first-round pick, and the Saints have shown strong interest in the former Louisville receiver.
Chris Bell and the Saints remain linked
Bell has been hoping to be back for the start of the season, and that timeline is now looking more realistic than it did in the immediate aftermath of the injury. Dr. Dan Cooper, the Cowboys’ team physician, performed the surgery in Dallas soon after the tear. Bell’s rehab progress is important not only for his own return, but also for a draft picture that continues to shift as teams reassess his value.
The Saints have been one of the most closely connected teams throughout this process. Bell was Tyler Shough’s teammate at Louisville, and both players have expressed interest in a reunion. Bell also met with New Orleans on a top-30 visit and spent time with coaches and former teammates Tyler Shough and Quincy Riley during a dinner outing.
Chris Bell’s stock keeps moving
Bell’s production before the injury helps explain why teams are still watching closely. He finished last season with 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns, and across four college seasons he totaled 151 catches for 2, 166 yards and 12 touchdowns. That profile, paired with his current rehab status, has kept him in the draft conversation even after the knee injury changed his projection.
Bell’s rise in the conversation also creates pressure for teams hoping he might last into the second round. He was previously considered a possible first-round pick, but his injury pushed him down the board. Now, the latest rehab update suggests his availability may not stay within reach for long if he keeps trending upward.
Interest is spreading beyond New Orleans
Bell has also visited or planned to meet with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles, which adds another layer of competition for the Saints. With more than one team monitoring him and his rehab moving ahead of schedule, the idea of a reunion in New Orleans is no longer a simple match of mutual interest. It is now a race against other teams that may value him just as highly.
Bell’s situation leaves the Saints weighing a familiar dilemma: whether to wait and hope, or move earlier if they want to secure a player who is clearly gaining momentum. If his rehab continues at this pace, Chris Bell could become one of the more pivotal names to track as the draft approaches and the Saints decide how far they are willing to go.
