PITTSBURGH — Le’Veon Bell spent a portion of his Tuesday testing his hyperextended right knee on an exercise bike. The Pittsburgh Steelers spent it preparing for life without their most valuable player.

The Steelers signed well-traveled running back Ben Tate as a backup plan in case Bell’s knee doesn’t respond in time for Saturday night’s wild-card game against Baltimore. The sight of his budding star grinding through a workout might have been encouraging, but Tomlin hardly seems optimistic, pointing out “there won’t be any bikes on the field.”

Instead, there will be the NFL’s fourth-ranked run defense, one that will be bolstered by the return of nose tackle Haloti Ngata following a four-game suspension for using Adderall. Even if Bell can somehow get medical clearance, Tomlin admitted he’s not even sure he’s going to give the OK for Bell to play. The 22-year-old is a vital part of Pittsburgh’s future beyond this weekend. Taking any unnecessary risks when there are viable if less proven options might not be the smartest way to go.

“We’re going to do what’s right and we’re not going to be swayed by circumstance,” Tomlin said. “Guys have been cleared by doctors in the past and I’ve chosen not to play them.”

Tate began the season atop the depth chart in Cleveland but saw his playing time decrease as his production dwindled. He eventually lost his starting job to rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell and was cut in November. Minnesota took a flier on the former second-round pick, but Tate managed just 38 yards on 13 carries in three games before getting released.

The 26-year-old now finds himself as Pittsburgh’s most experienced option as the AFC North champions brace for their fourth playoff showdown with Baltimore since 2001.