Le'Veon Bell: Latest Details and Comments on Steelers RB's Suspension Appeal

Le'Veon Bell's appeal of his three-game suspension for marijuana use and DUI remains shrouded in a cloud of mystery—so much so that not even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has any idea of when it will be heard.

“That appeal is not heard by me, I would have to get somebody else to get a timeline on that,” Goodell said on July 21 when updating the status of Tom Brady's appeal for the Deflategate controversy, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune.

Continue for updates.

---

Bell Reportedly Negotiating Reduced Suspension

Tuesday, July 28

Dan Graziano of ESPN reported Bell was in talks with the league to get his suspension reduced to either one or two games. Albert Breer of NFL.com confirmed that report, and noted the argument is that the running back was being punished twice for the same incident. 

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted on July 25 that Bell said his suspension appeal has still not been heard, and he wasn't sure why that was the case:

"

When he was asked who was holding up the appeals process, Bell said: “I have no idea.”

Bell said he remained hopeful the league would reduce his suspension, but he reiterated he will not pursue legal action if it is not.

“Whatever it is, I’m going to take it and move forward from it.”

"

On Monday, Breer provided clarity to the process on Twitter:

"

Bell's appeal: League, union, Bell's reps have been in contact throughout. Formal appeal hearing may not be needed. As I understand it, drug appeals often handled this way, [without] a formal hearing. Bell's seems unusual only [because] suspension news leaked early.

Bell told me [Sunday], he's just waiting for the call now. His side isn't expecting suspension to be wiped out, just hoping it's reduced. Bell's argument here would be that he's being punished twice for the same offense (2 games for DUI, 1 game for marijuana possession).

"

Bell, 23, filed an appeal of his three-game ban for substance abuse in April. He was also fined a fourth week in salary following a 2014 DUI arrest with former teammate LeGarrette Blount. Blount, now with the New England Patriots, was suspended one game for the incident.

Since news of Bell's initial appeal, there has not been much movement on the NFL's side. The Pro Bowler told Bouchette in June that the NFL was yet to give him a formal timetable on when his appeal would be heard.

With rookies and veterans due at training camp July 25, it seems inevitable that Bell's case will stretch into the preseason.

That's far from ideal for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who would like to be able to game-plan their running back depth around when they will have Bell on the field. The team signed DeAngelo Williams this offseason to offset Bell's absence, but a reduction would go a long way toward keeping Pittsburgh in the playoff chase.   

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.