MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins rookie receiver Chris Bell said he was in "disbelief" after a 68-yard touchdown catch against the Vikings was disallowed because he barely stepped out of bounds before catching the ball.
But he added Monday, "it wasn't something that fazed me. I know even though it was a big play I got to go out there and play the next play."
The play was crucial in a 15-10 loss to Minnesota that dropped Miami to 0-4.
Bell, the third-round draft pick out of Louisville, did everything right after seeing quarterback Malik Willis start to scramble.
Except get too close to the sideline.
"I saw the quarterback scrambling out of the pocket, in my mind immediately thinking scramble drill," he said. "I was coming into the ball and I kind of could
tell what Malik was thinking, turned up and I was open, caught the ball and ran in.
"Thought it was touchdown."
Which would have been his first in the NFL.
Before the catch, Bell's pinky toe was a smidge out of bounds, barely touching the white chalk. Once a receiver steps out of bounds on his own he is not allowed to be the first one to touch the ball. The call is an illegal touch. The Dolphins then punted.
"Just got to be aware of where I am on the field and continue to work," the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Bell said.
Chris Bell admits he has as to be more aware of where he is on field
That was the message he received from receivers coach Tyke Tolbert on the sideline.
"After that play, he just said you got to be aware of where you are on the field," Bell said.
Bell finished the game with no receptions. He was targeted three times. Bell caught four passes for 67 yards the previous week against Kansas City. He has five catches for 92 yards on the season.
The wiped-out touchdown catch occurred early in the second quarter with the ball on the Miami 32-yard line and the Dolphins trailing 3-0.
If the play stood, the Dolphins would have led for the first time all season.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins receiver Chris Bell in 'disbelief' after TD catch nullified
