The long awaited return of Le’Veon Bell to the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to wait a few more weeks. But at least, it appears that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Bell is expected to report to the team during its Week 7 bye.
News everyone has waited to hear: Pittsburgh RB Le'Veon Bell expects to report to the Steelers during the Week 7 bye, a source told @JFowlerESPN. But Bell planning to play football this season for the Steelers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2018
If true, this means Bell will play more than half of Pittsburgh’s games. That enables him to accrue a season of service.
This is big when it comes to his potential status in March and whether Pittsburgh can realistically place the franchise tag on the All-Pro running back.
The backdrop here being reports that Pittsburgh is currently listening to offers for Bell. It’s not an open secret that a rift has grown between the ball-carrier and his teammates. That rift has obviously extended to the front office.
It’s not yet known whether this report or any decision on Bell’s part to report will change Pittsburgh’s stance on trading the back. It has until Oct. 30 to do that. The team’s Week 7 bye starts two weeks prior to that.
His first game would come two days prior to the trade deadline.