Le'Veon Bell Underwent Surgery to Repair Core Muscle Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury and is expected to have a recovery timeline of six weeks.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported news of the procedure Monday, which fixed a problem that surfaced during the Steelers' AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots. Bell delayed the procedure, and Rapoport indicated last month it was unlikely he needed surgery.

Bell tweeted after the surgery:

While not listed on the injury report, Bell's groin injury had been lingering for weeks before the conference championship. He had rushed for 100-plus yards in seven of his previous eight games heading into the matchup with New England but finished with just 20 yards on six carries against the Patriots. 

"I felt like I was holding the team back," Bell said after the game, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "It's real disappointing. We work so hard to get here. I felt like I had done a lot to help us get here. To not play and not go to battle with my teammates, it hurt."

This is not Bell's first time dealing with injuries. He missed the 2015 postseason after tearing his MCL, and the 2014 campaign is the only regular season where he played a full 16-game slate.

A six-week recovery time would put Bell in position to possibly be ready for minicamps. It's likely the Steelers will proceed with as much caution as possible given Bell's injury history and the relative meaninglessness of spring work for vets.