Contrary to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Judy Battista of NFL Media passed along information from a source that the Pittsburgh Steelers do not expect Le’Veon Bell to report to team facilities this week.
Am told by a source that the @steelers are NOT expecting RB Le'Veon Bell to report to the team this week. The team goes into their bye without him.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 15, 2018
Bell’s teammates expected him to report before the season began, and they were very upset with him when he did not show.
The All-Pro running back said for a while that his main goal in 2018 was to rack up stats.
Obviously neither of those things has happened yet. In the meantime, Bell’s “backup,” James Conner, has done some amazing things in his stead. He’s piled up 710 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage in six games.
The Steelers head into their bye week with a record of 3-2-1 and are just one-half game behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.
If Bell returns, then he does. But at this point, it sure seems like nobody in Pittsburgh is holding their breath about it.
Every week that Bell misses is costing him $856,000. There have been plenty of reports that the Steelers are looking to trade him. At this point, that may be the best option for everyone involved.