Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in November, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Per his agent Erik Burkhardt and Dr. Dan Cooper, who performed the surgery, Bell is already reaching speeds of 18+ MPH during his rehabilitation process.
Before the injury, Bell was widely regarded as a potential first-round talent in the upcoming NFL Draft. Measuring 6-foot-2.5 and 222 pounds, the receiver is known for his rare combination of size and elite 4.3 speed. His ability to hit high-end speed milestones this early in his recovery serves as a significant boost to his draft stock as NFL teams evaluate his health during the pre-draft cycle.
Despite the late-season injury setback, Bell is now projected as a likely Friday selection during the draft. Front offices will continue to monitor his progress as he nears a full return to football activities. His physical attributes and accelerated recovery timeline make him one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects in the class.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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