Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell reported to the UMPC Rooney Sports Complex on Friday, passed his physical and is expected to rejoin his teammates Monday when the team resumes preparations for the regular-season opener against the Browns.
The Steelers did not announce Bell had signed his one-year franchise tender, but he is expected to do that before Monday. He will make $12.12 million this season once it becomes official.
Bell skipped all of training camp after he wasn't able to come to terms on a long-term deal with the Steelers in July. He hasn't taken a snap with any of his teammates since the first quarter of the AFC championship loss to the Patriots. He left that game with a groin injury that required offseason surgery. He rehabbed his injury away from the Steelers this spring and did not take part in any team activities in May or June, either.
Bell hasn't allowed long-term absences hinder his performance in the past. Last season, after missing the first three games while serving a drug suspension, he returned in Week 4 and rushed for 144 yards in a 43-14 victory against Kansas City.
Bell played in 12 games last season and rushed for 1,268 yards. He rushed for 337 yards combined in the first two rounds of the playoffs before bowing out early in the AFC title game.
In four seasons with the Steelers, Bell has played in 47 games and rushed for 4,045 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Bell can become an unrestricted free agent following this season if the Steelers don't place the franchise tag on him again. If they do use the tag on him again, they'll have to pay him $14.5 million for one year, or 120 percent of his salary this year.
The big question for Bell isn't his production. It's his ability to stay available. He missed 17 games over his first four NFL seasons due to injuries and suspensions.
A knee injury in the 2014 regular-season finale forced him to miss the playoffs. Another injury midway through the 2015 season forced him to miss the remainder of that season. And last season, after staying healthy for most of the season, the groin injury ended his night early in the AFC championship.
The Steelers have not shied away from giving Bell a heavy workload. He has averaged 24 touches per game since entering the NFL. His workload was especially heavy late last season, when the Steelers had him touch the ball 32 times per game over the final six games he played.
Whether that changes this season is to be determined. The Steelers would like to have Bell healthy for an entire playoff run, and Bell would like to cash in on a big long-term contract with the Steelers or another team.
