Pittsburgh Steelers lose Le’Veon Bell for three games

This latest setback also comes after Bell missed the second half of last season due to a torn MCL suffered vs the Bengals. Running back DeAngelo Williams – who last season rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns in Bell’s absence – is set to miss his second consecutive preseason game. Bell was originally suspended four games for missed drug tests, a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Six fewer games if he gets popped again, Steelers fans will say.

But this is neither a victory for Bell nor the Steelers. He handles himself well with the media and in the team facility. I know everybody wants to see me play. And considering that Bell’s suspension has now been reduced by one game, that ADP is probably going to rise a few spots.

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will have his pending four-game suspension reduced to three games. Whoever is advising him needs to send him more text alerts. It is obvious that the organization does not want to lose a player with the talent that Bell has, but it has also shown in the past that talent does not outweigh distractions in the long run. To make room on the roster, the team released running back Christian Powell and waived/injured center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said: “We are disappointed Le’Veon Bell has been suspended three games to start the 2016 season”.

All that now has to be in doubt, as is Bell’s future with the Steelers.

It’s up to him to reinforce it.

It should go without saying that 2016 is a big year for Bell both on the football field and off it. That’s never been the issue. In fact, this could be his most productive season. He will return for Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Absent that, I wouldn’t factor in the one-game reduction much when considering where to draft Bell.

And with fourth-year quarterback Landry Jones coming off a performance in which he threw four interceptions in the first half against the Eagles, the Steelers look painfully – no pun intended – thin at quarterback behind Roethlisberger.