Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he hasn't determined how much Le'Veon Bell will play in the season opener Sunday in Cleveland, but acknowledged his All-Pro running back is "in great physical condition" and is a "football-sharp guy."
Bell, who missed all of the preseason because he didn't sign his franchise tender, had his first practice Monday and is expected to start against the Browns.
"He got on a moving train pretty quickly," Tomlin said during his weekly news conference. "I don't have a hard-fast plan as to his participation. We'll continue to monitor the situation."
When Bell didn't report to training camp, Tomlin said at the time there would be "consequences" to his absence.
Tomlin expounded Tuesday on what he meant, saying: "The consequences of his rust or lack of exposure will be revealed to him and us over time. How much he can absorb, his overall level of conditioning, his ball security, all are potential consequences. I won't know until time reveals it. That's part of this process."
Tomlin also said he feels "really good" about the team's injury situation, which includes safety Mike Mitchell, who has missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury.
"We got some guys you can characterize as questionable _ Mike Mitchell," Tomlin said. "We're optimistic."
