Le'Veon Bell Comments on Possible NFL Suspension, Appeal Hearing

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell could miss the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

On Thursday, Bell commented on the looming suspension—which Graziano reported was because of a missed drug test rather than a failed one.

“I don’t want to be a distraction to my teammates or to Steelers Nation,” Bell said, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Adamski noted Bell clarified that he is physically ready to play after undergoing season-ending surgery last year, although the running back did have tape on his knee:

Bell is looking for an August appeal hearing for his potential suspension, per James C. Wexell of Scout.com. Wexell noted that “Bell can’t/won’t say much because it’s in appeals,” although he was notified he missed the test back in March.

According to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Bell did respond to fans on Instagram on July 25, stating he won't miss any regular-season games. If he does, it would be his second suspension in two years after he missed two games last season for an arrest for marijuana possession and driving under the influence.

However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported “there’s a strong sense” the running back will eventually be suspended and fail in the appeals process.

While the situation hovers over him, Bell reassured Steelers fans Thursday that head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t have to worry about getting him preseason reps, per Adamski: “If (Tomlin) sees what I can do, he don't really have to play me in the preseason. ... Regular-season games, that's what I'm shooting for.”

Bell has appeared in only 35 regular-season games in his career, but he is a proven commodity and one of the best running backs in the league when healthy. He ran for 556 yards and three scores in six games last year and tallied 1,361 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 16 contests in 2014.

It is also difficult for opponents to stack the box against him, with wide receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton lining up as dangerous weapons in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s offensive attack.

Pittsburgh may have to rely on 33-year-old running back DeAngelo Williams to carry the load if Bell is ultimately suspended. While the age is something of a concern, the veteran did rack up 907 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground last year while Bell dealt with the suspension and injuries.

If Williams replicates that production, the Steelers will likely be fine, regardless of whether Bell successfully appeals his potential suspension.