NFL season is nearing, and pro football’s offseason has been pretty quiet for the most part. However, some big news broke early Friday as ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension.
According to Graziano, Bell is facing the suspension for violation of the NFL’s drug policy, and the suspension is not for a failed test, but a missed drug test.
“Sources close to the situation tell me Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s drug policy. The suspension is the result of a MISSED drug test, not a failed one, and the reason it hasn’t yet been announced is that the appeal process is still going on. No date for Bell’s appeal has been set, though it’s expected that it will be heard before the start of the regular season, meaning that if it’s not overturned, he would miss the first four games of the season.”
Bell was suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season, but that was later reduced to two games for an arrest for marijuana possession and a DUI in the summer of 2014.
Entering his fourth NFL season this year, the running back played in just six games last season, rushing for 556 yards and three scores, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He also had 136 yards receiving for the Steelers.
If Bell misses the first four games of the season, it doesn’t appear to be the Steelers’ toughest stretch of games. Pittsburgh is matched up against Washington, along with the Bengals, Eagles, and Chiefs. From then on, however, things get a bit tougher with games against the Jets, Dolphins, Patriots, Ravens, and Cowboys.
But of course, Steel City would much rather not miss their star back and a key part of their offense.
[ESPN]
