Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell facing four-game suspension
Friday 22 July 2016 16:42, UK
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for missing several drug tests, the NFL reported Friday on its website.
The suspension has not yet been announced by the NFL because the appeal process is ongoing.
Bell's appeal is expected to be heard before the beginning of the regular season. If it proves unsuccessful Bell will miss the first four games.
The 24-year-old was suspended for three games in 2015, later reduced to two games, for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy after he was arrested for marijuana possession and DUI in the summer of 2014.
Bell rushed for 556 yards and three touchdowns over six games last year before suffering a season-ending MCL injury in November while being tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
DeAngelo Williams will become the Steelers' primary ball carrier if Bell is suspended. The 33-year-old former Carolina Panther was outstanding in relief of Bell last season as he rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns on 200 carries.
A suspension for Bell would be another blow for a Steelers offense that is already without wide receiver Martavis Bryant after he was banned for the entire 2016 season for a violation of the NFL's drug policy.
