Le’Veon Bell suspension reduced from 4 games to 3

Steelers RB Bell looks like old self in return to field

August 27, 2016
By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NEW ORLEANS — So it wasn’t all perfect for Le’Veon Bell.

There was that lost fumble on a slip-screen pass at the New Orleans 22 that derailed what could have been a third consecutive scoring drive to start the game.

But, eager to show everyone he was recovered from a season-ending knee injury just 10 months ago, Bell did just that for most of the first half in the Steelers’ 27-14 preseason victory against the Saints Friday night at Mecedes-Benz Superdome.

It was just what he needed from his first time back since missing the final 10 games of the 2015 season.

“I still got to be the same player,” Bell said. “I got to be aggressive and deliver punishment and still be a physical guy. But I have to be smart. That’s what I have to do.”

While Ben Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes on his first and only two series of the preseason — one to Antonio Brown for 57 yards — the most satisfying aspect for the Steelers was the sight of Bell looking like his old self.

“The guy worked his rear off to come back,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “He looked like his old self out there.”

He carried three times for 21 yards and caught a team-high five passes for 37 yards, giving him eight touches for 58 yards in two quarters. And enough to show everybody that his surgically repaired knee is fine. Or certainly appears to be.

“Thank God for his recovery,” Brown said. “He looks like his normal self. The guy’s resilient.”

Bell was making his first appearance since multiple knee ligaments were torn on a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict in a Nov. 1 game at Heinz Field. At the time, he was leading the AFC in rushing with 556 yards and averaging 4.9 yards per carry, despite missing the first two games of the season because of a suspension.

“It’s always great to have 26 out there,” said Brown, who caught four passes for 87 yards. “You know what he’s going to bring to the field when he’s out there. You know what kind of challenges he brings.”

Bell wanted to play in the preseason because he wanted to show everyone he is fully recovered from the injury. He was even more determined after learning his appeal of his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance of abuse policy was reduced to three games. He will serve the suspension beginning with the regular-season opener Sept. 12 against the Washington Redskins.

to read rest of article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/stee ... 1608270101

Again, if you are going to watch the Saints game, watch the first drive on about the Saints 30 yard line just around 3 min into the game. Bell comes off the right side to chip on the DE and just viciously de-cleats Jordan.

Bill Sechrengost: When Bell comes back next week, what is your guess at who is cut from the 53-man roster?

Alex Kozora: Probably Richardson unless, again, other injuries creep up. He’s only had one carry and barely played on special teams. No need to keep 4 RBs.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/09/ask-alex-steelers-mailbag-42/

September 26, 2016
By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The good news for the Steelers is they’ll welcome Le’Veon Bell back to the offense today when he returns from a three-game suspension. The bad news is he might be their second-best receiver.

Bell caught 83 passes for 854 yards in 2014 in addition to his 1,361 rushing yards in his 2014 All-Pro campaign. And you’re not the only one who is aware of that fact this morning. One important member of the offense knew it immediately after the game.

“It’s going to be huge,” Maurkice Pouncey said, when asked about what Bell’s return will mean. “He changes the passing game.”

to read rest of article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/09/26/Wheaton-s-struggles-leave-team-looking-for-options-at-WR/stories/201609260064

so who gets cuts when the Steelers activate Bell this week, Richardson or Toussaint?

probably richardson

Welcome back, Bell.


Now don't mess up again.

Hawaii 5-0 wrote:

so who gets cuts when the Steelers activate Bell this week, Richardson or Toussaint?

Croissant is my vote. I just liked Richardson's upside from the limited amount I've seen him.

SteelersYak wrote:

Welcome back, Bell.


Now don't mess up again.

It isnt a matter of if, but when. I just hope it's after a Super Bowl win in February and a SB MVP.

I thought I'd be more excited about this, but after last game it's hard to be excited about anything

Mike Tomlin says Le’Veon Bell will be ready to carry the load

Posted by Michael David Smith on September 27, 2016

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is back from his three-game suspension, and coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t think he’ll have to ease Bell back into the lineup.

“His level of conditioning is not a concern to us,” Tomlin said of Bell. “A guy that is highly conditioned over a 12 month calendar. We have seen him every day, he has been a part of us, and he has been in the building. He is up to speed on what we are doing from a schematic standpoint and really in tune there. We will see how sharp he is physically once we get on the practice field. But rest assured, you are going to see Le’Veon Bell and probably a lot of him on Sunday.”

DeAngelo Williams did a good job filling in for Bell the first two weeks of the season, but last week Williams managed just eight carries for 21 yards in a blowout loss to the Eagles. The Steelers need Bell to help get their offense back on track.

When Bell is available he’s one of the best running backs in the NFL. Last year he averaged 93 yards a game on the ground and also caught four passes a game.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/27/mike-tomlin-says-leveon-bell-will-be-ready-to-carry-the-load/

well time to let the 2-headed monster of Bell-Williams run over KC.