From the moment running back Tatum Bell was accused of stealing Detroit running back Rudi Johnson‘s bag earlier this season, it almost was if the league stole any chance of him signing with a team.

But Denver is so desperate at running back, it is planning to work out Bell on Tuesday and is expected to sign him if he is in shape. Assuming Bell is in shape and signs with Denver, he will be active for Sunday’s key game against the Atlanta Falcons. Denver’s only backs now are rookie fullback Peyton Hillis and P.J. Pope, who recently was promoted off the Broncos practice squad. Denver needs help and it found it in its area, where Bell was living.

One of the reasons the Broncos are looking at Bell is because he is familiar with their system. Denver originally drafted Bell with the second-round pick it acquired from Washington with cornerback Champ Bailey in exchange for running back Clinton Portis.

Bell spent the 2004-2006 seasons in Denver, knows the Broncos system and could be asked to perform in it five days from now.

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