Bell: ‘I’m not going to miss games’
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell gets away from inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons after making a catch during training camp in 2015.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell hasn’t played since a Nov. 1 knee injury and faces a four-game suspension for reportedly missing a mandatory drug test. On his Instagram account, Bell said Monday he will not miss any games.
When rumors first surfaced in June Le’Veon Bell might face a four-game suspension for missing a mandatory drug test, the Steelers running back told reporters he had not failed or missed any drug tests.
On Monday, just a couple of days after multiple reports again surfaced regarding Bell facing a possible suspension for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, he doubled down.
“I’m not going to miss games, trust me,” Bell wrote on his Instagram account. “I’m gonna win the appeal … ppl have no idea what happened but don’t worry … let em hate. When I end up missin no games at all, ppl for sure gonna try to love me again and I’m only ridin with my LOYAL fans!!”
Bell, 24, became subject to multiple random drug tests after being placed in the NFL’s substance abuse plan following his arrest in 2014 for DUI and possession of marijuana. He recently completed his probation term and the case was expunged from his record.
But Bell reportedly missed one or more mandatory drug tests for the NFL during the offseason, with the league looking at a skipped test the same as a positive result.
Bell’s case is currently under appeal to the league with a decision expected before the start of the regular season. The Steelers and NFL have issued no comments regarding the possible suspension.
The fourth-year Pro Bowl running back is coming back from a torn MCL and PCL that required surgery and ended his 2015 season after just six games.
He worked sparingly during the team’s OTAs and mini-camp but was expected to return to the field at some point during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, which begins Thursday.
A 2013 second-round draft pick out of Michigan State, Bell is heading into the final season of his contract with the Steelers. In 35 career games, he has rushed for 2,777 yards and 19 touchdowns while also catching 152 passes for another 1,389 yards and three scores.
Bell’s average of 119 total yards per game during his career is the best in the NFL since 2013 and the Steelers are 22-13 in games in which he starts.
If Bell is forced to sit out the first four games, the Steelers will be without another major piece of their offense.
Earlier this year, receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended for the entire 2016 season after missing a mandatory drug test. Bryant was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season.
If Bell is forced to sit out, the Steelers will turn to DeAngelo Williams as their primary ball carrier. Williams, who turned 33 in the offseason, rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015, his first season with Pittsburgh.