SATURDAY, 1:35pm: Bell missed several drug tests, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). Players in the substance-abuse program are subject to far more tests than their brethren with clean drug records, whom are only generally tested once a year, Smith points out. Failing to turn up for many tests would make his chances of winning an appeal highly unlikely and potentially cloud his future.
FRIDAY, 8:53am: Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s drug policy, sources close to the situation tell ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano (on Twitter). The suspension is the result of a missed drug test rather than a failed one. 
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There has been no announcement on the pending suspension because the appeal process is ongoing, Graziano hears. No date for Bell’s appeal has been set, though it’s expected that it will be heard before the start of the regular season. Bell was sidelined for the first two games of the 2015 season because of an arrest on marijuana possession and DUI in the summer of 2014.
If Bell is sidelined for the first month of the season, the Steelers will likely use DeAngelo Williams as their primary back until he returns. Behind Williams, the Steelers also have backs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Daryl Richardson, as shown on Roster Resource.
Between Bell’s suspension and injury last season, the tailback appeared in only six games for the Steelers in 2015. Despite Bell’s 10-game absence, the Steelers had the eighth-best yards-per-carry average in the league last season, when Williams amassed 907 yards and 11 touchdowns on 200 carries in his age-32 campaign.
Bell has now put himself in a bad spot as he enters a contract year. Not only is the 24-year-old returning from a torn MCL and PCL, he also has raised some serious concerns about his off-field behavior. This summer, Bell declared in a rap song that he is seeking $15MM/year on his next contract.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
and this guy wants a huge contract? he’s a good back but if can’t make it to a required drug test, you’ve got your priorities mixed up
I’d say the Steelers should cut Bell except that history dictates that this is a ploy by Bell to be picked up by the Patriots to join his ganja buddy, Blount. I think the Steelers should keep Bell and as soon as he gets back, make him run it up the middle until his legs fall off.
Another mega talented idiot. Not Josh Gordon level stupid, Gordon is the king of morons. But this guy is getting closer. This would be his second suspension if it happens. Maybe he can make a rap song about it. This guy could be the best RB in the NFL if he quit being an idiot. When he’s on the field there aren’t many, if any, better than him. There’s bigger names and that influences people’s opinions though. One more issue and I say Pittsburgh shows him the door, like they did to Santonio Holmes. They received a late pick that became…Antonio Brown.
He wants 15mil per year so he can rack up the money while clean. Maybe have a few more dollars in the pocket until he is busted again
Between him and Bryant they should both be kept until their contract runs out. Even if they are inactive. Releasing either player will just result in them being signed else and probably for more money.
I hope they go out and sign a veteran backup for behind Williams.
Why are there so many talented players that just can’t stay clean or out of trouble. You have all that talent and throw it down the drain
Ricky 2.0
Best talent of all starting RBs. Worst brain of all starting RBs.
Makes LeSean McCoy look smart…