Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy, ESPN reported on Friday.
The suspension is a result of a missed drug test and not a failed one, sources said. The 24-year-old Pro Bowler will likely appeal the punishment, but will miss the first four games of the season if it’s upheld.
It’s a less than ideal outcome for Bell as he looks to bounce back from a lackluster campaign that saw him limited to 113 carries for 556 yards and three touchdowns in only six games.
He was suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season – later reduced to two as a result of a settlement between the NFL and NFL Players Association – following an arrest on DUI and marijuana charges. He ended up pleading no contest and was sentenced to 15 months of probation and entered into a diversion program. Then he suffered a season-ending MCL tear during a November game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2014, Bell was named a first-team All-Pro after carrying 290 times for 1361 yards and eight touchdowns, while making 83 receptions for 854 yards and three additional scores.
