Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to a report this morning by ESPN.
According to Dan Graziano, Bell is facing the suspension due to a missed drug test.
The suspension has not yet been announced by the NFL because Bell is appealing the suspension.
A missed drug test is the same reason Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended for the season. Bryant had violated the league's substance abuse policy multiple times. The Bell suspension means he also failed four drug tests.
Under the new policy passed in September 2014, a player's first positive test for marijuana draws no suspension but puts him into the NFL substance abuse program, which allows for random testing year-round. A second offense results in a two-game fine and a third a four-game fine _ but no suspension from play on either of those.
But a player is suspended for four games if he fails a test for marijuana four times, the way Bryant did last season.
Bell addressed rumors this spring that he had failed a test. "I am fine," he said.
Bell is rehabilitating from a knee injury that forced him to miss the final 10 games of last season. He said in the spring he expected to be ready for the start of the season.
DeAngelo Williams would take over as the starting running back in Bell's absence. Fitzgerald Toussaint would likely be the backup.
