49ers’ Ronnie Bell embraces kick returner challenge with McCloud out

HENDERSON, Nev. - Throughout Ronnie Bell's five-year Michigan career, he lobbied coach Jim Harbaugh to handle punt returns. "I was trying to be the returner every year," Bell told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. The one season in which Bell, a wide receiver, was assigned to that duty was 2021. In the first half of the season-opening game against Western Michigan, Bell showed his playmaking ability with a 31-yard return. However, he sustained a season-ending torn ACL on the play. "I got injured the year I was going to do it full time," Bell said. "I have experience doing it." That experience will be valuable with the 49ers. The team needs someone to handle return game duties with Ray-Ray McCloud, who handled every kickoff and punt return last season, expected to be out for up to two months after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured wrist. "I feel like I fit in very well," Bell said. "I was already really excited about being back there returning punts and getting that opportunity throughout this training camp. "And now it's unfortunate that Ray-Ray is down, but it definitely gives that opportunity for me to show that even more." Bell should get plenty of playing time to showcase...