The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be without star running back Le’Veon Bell after it was reported on Friday that he will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season.
Bell’s suspension stems from a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Sources close to the situation tell me Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violation… https://t.co/6CWpS45NSm
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) July 22, 2016
Bell reportedly didn’t fail a drug test. Instead, the suspension is linked to him missing a mandatory test during the offseason. He’s said to be appealing the NFL’s decision.
This is a major blow to a Steelers squad that’s already going to be without Martavis Bryant for the entire 2016 season after he also violated the league’s substance abuse policy.
Bell, 24, missed all but six games a season ago after suffering a knee injury in Week 8. He tallied 692 total yards and three touchdowns in those six games.
That came on the heels of the former second-round pick putting up 2,200-plus total yards and 11 scores en route to earning First-Team All Pro honors the previous year.
With Bell likely to be out the first four games, DeAngelo Williams will take over as Pittsburgh’s primary ball carrier. He performed well in Bell’s stead last season, recording nearly 1,300 total yards and a NFL-best 11 rushing touchdowns.