Pittsburgh Steelers lose Le'Veon Bell for three games
Friday 19 August 2016 20:45, UK
The NFL has confirmed Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell will be suspended for the first three games of the regular season.
Bell was facing a four-game suspension for missing several drugs tests, in violation of the league's Policy and Programme for Substances of Abuse.
The suspension means the Steelers will have to rely on veteran running back DeAngelo Williams for their first three regular season games against the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles.
Bell missed two games through suspension last season as well, that ban being reduced from three, and had his season ended by injury after rushing for 556 yards and three touchdowns on 113 carries.
In his absence, Williams took on a bigger role and rushed 200 times for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said: "We are disappointed Le'Veon Bell has been suspended three games to start the 2016 season. We will continue to support Le'Veon, but we acknowledge this mistake has put the team in an unfortunate position.
"We will continue to work with Le'Veon to help him eliminate distractions in his life so he can reach his full potential as a member of our community as well as a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers."
