NFL reduces Le’veon Bell’s suspension by one week
By David Rouben
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’veon Bell will have his four-game suspension reduced to three.
Le’veon Bell is arguably the best running back in the NFL, but he’s had a hard time staying out of trouble. This season was the second in as many years that he was suspended by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy. But just like last year, he will get his suspension reduced by one game, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
He will now be eligible to return in Week 4 when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season was a very difficult one for Bell. In addition to being suspended for the first two games of the season, he missed the last eight weeks of the regular season when he sustained a knee injury. At the very least, his suspension gives him more time to recover from that injury, but he will go into the 2016 season with plenty of distractions.
Steelers' RB LeVeon Bell is having his suspension reduced from 4 to 3 games, sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2016
When Bell did play, defenses could hardly contain him. He averaged five yards per carry and got three touchdowns in six games. DeAngelo Williams proved to be more than serviceable in Bell’s absence. The former Panthers running back scored 11 touchdowns and had 4.5 yards per carry, but an injury kept him out of the playoffs.
Having a strong backfield will be the key to the Steelers’ success. If they can get another strong season out of Ben Roethlisberger, they will be favorites to win the AFC North. Bell will no doubt have Week 15 circled on his calendar. That’s when they play the Bengals, the team that injured Bell, and given how late it is, could have a significant impact on who wins the division.
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At just 24 years old, Bell is a tremendous talent still entering his peak years in the NFL. But coming off of two consecutive suspensions, that talent can’t be wasted by his actions off the field. Steelers fans and fantasy football owners will be happy that his suspension has been reduced, and seeing him tear through opposing defenses is only good for the game.