While the NFL announced today that Tom Brady‘s suspension will be upheld, the Steelers got a break on Le’Veon Bell‘s ban. According to Jarrett Bell of USA Today (via Twitter), Bell’s suspension was reduced from three games to two games. The Steelers running back will now be eligible to return for Pittsburgh’s Week 3 contest in St. Louis.
We heard yesterday and earlier today that the NFL, NFLPA, and Bell’s reps had been in “frequent contract” and were attempting to negotiate a settlement so that a formal appeal of the three-game suspension wouldn’t be required.
Bell’s suspension was the league’s response to his arrest for marijuana possession and driving under the influence, and the fact that the NFL went as high as three games suggested that he was being penalized separately for each charge. A two-game penalty is in line with other suspensions for DUI incidents.