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Le'Veon Bell Rumors: Steelers 'Have Not Had Contact' with RB This Week
November 5, 2018
Le'Veon Bell? Still not talking to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the Steelers and Bell have not had contact ahead of Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers. The team does not expect him to report in time for the contest.
Bell must report by Nov. 13 or he cannot play during the 2018 season.
The Pro Bowler posted a cryptic tweet Monday saying goodbye to Miami, where he has been based during his holdout. It's unclear if that was a sign that Bell plans to come to Pittsburgh ahead of Thursday's game. It is unlikely he would play regardless of whether he shows up.
Bell could be choosing to report with hopes of receiving a game check while still not being active.
"Why waste more energy on it? The first week, we were shocked by [the Bell holdout]. At this point, what are you gonna do? Sit here and drive at it and beg him to come back? Obviously that's not how it works," Guard David DeCastro told Albert Breer of the MMQB. "So we just put our best foot forward and try to do the best for this team.”
The Steelers offense has not missed a beat without Bell, as James Conner has emerged as one of the most productive backs in football. He's compiled 706 rushing yards along with 379 through the air, scoring 10 total touchdowns. He has four straight 100-yard rushing games.
"I love playing with Conner," tackle Alejandro Villanueva said, per Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I don't have anything to say about Le'Veon. I don't even know what shape he is in right now."