The Patriots missed their chance on Ray Rice. Two websites don't want the Steelers to do the same.

The Steelers are in desperate need for a running back for their playoff game against the Bengals on Saturday, and the three-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl ring is waiting at home by the phone for a call, according to both Steelers Wire and Delmarva Daily Times.

Pittsburgh could be without DeAngelo Williams, who came to the Steelers' rescue after Le'Veon Bell went down with a knee injury, for the AFC Wild Card Game. So the Steelers could enter game with only Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman at running back.

That has the Daily Times' Mitchell Northam begging for another option.

NFL Teams Ignoring Janay Rice's Potential To Move On

"His name is Ray Rice and the Steelers should sign him for the playoffs. At the very least, they should work him out," Northam writes.

"Everyone has seen the TMZ video of Rice knocking out his then-fiancé, now wife, in an elevator and then dragging her out of it. It was awful, and seemed nearly unforgivable.

"But that was all nearly two years ago. Rice was punished for actions and suspended by the NFL. Unlike most other professional athletes who commit these type of violent actions, Rice has been public about being sincerely remorseful about what he did."

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders said earlier this week he believes the running back-depleted Patriots should have signed the embattled running back.

Adds Steelers Wire: "I also know that the league is littered with bad guys. If Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy or Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson can get a second chance, why can't Rice? He's got a balanced package of skills, is smart and could pick up the offense in a hurry.

"He wasn't just a good runner, but also a threat to catch the football, and very good in blitz pickup. Bringing in a guy that the Steelers already cut adds nothing in terms of talent, and an inexperienced free agent might not be ready in time. Remove what he did as a man, and you see that Rice might be just what the Steelers need."

It does seem odd that all 32 teams are taking a stance against one of the few players who confessed his sin and is using his case as an opportunity to educate others about avoiding his transgression.

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