MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins will not have a restriction on how many snaps rookie receiver Chris Bell can play in his pro debut at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Bell is ahead of schedule in recovery from a torn ACL that ended his 2025 Louisville season.
But he is behind schedule in comparison to Miami's other rookies, in both on-field practice repetitions as well as conditioning.
"On the conditioning level, I probably would say in the 80s, 85," Bell said of a percentage. "I've still got a lot to learn. I've got to go like two plays back to back, and then I probably get a break and stuff like that, but I've just got to just keep getting in shape so I can be able to go all day."
Asked how a reporter might improve his conditioning,
Bell laughed and said: "Just step outside. That's all I got for you."
Bell said he thought he always would beat projections on his return to the field, but there were challenging moments.
"I had moments where I doubted, like, man, I'm not where I'm, like, I'm supposed to be, you know?" he said.
The Dolphins had originally hoped Bell could return in Week 6.
"It's a really cool story that he's even in a position to be able to play," Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. "I think that's incredible. I think that's a credit to the kid. Like, it's really special."
Miami Dolphins' news: Chris Bell preparing to start
If Bell catches a touchdown pass in his NFL debut, he has a plan. It is to dance, of course.
"I want to start something with like ring that bell," Bell said. "You know, I'm saying, me and my family have been working on that, so that's something that I want to do."
Slowik sees a high ceiling for Bell ― once he's completly ramped up.
"When he's fresh, when he's good to go, I mean, he's explosive," Slowik said. "He's aggressive. I mean, he's a big man that's moving really fast. I mean, he gets rolling. He's got good change of direction. He plays with the right mindset. So, like, all that stuff is really exciting."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Chris Bell says his conditioning is at 85%. Is that enough?
