Steelers’ Bell apologizes for being a distraction

LATROBE, PA. >> Le’Veon Bell believes his surgically repaired right knee feels so good he could play “tomorrow.”

The wait will be considerably longer for the Pittsburgh Steelers running back, perhaps all the way until October if his appeal for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy is denied.

While Bell apologized for being a distraction as the Steelers reported for training camp Thursday, he declined to get into specifics, saying only he was notified in March that he’d been suspended. ESPN. com reported Bell missed a drug test.

“It’s a little frustrating,” Bell said. “I’ve got to handle it for what it is and just keep moving forward.”

Bell expects the appeal to be heard sometime in August, giving the Steelers plenty of time to prepare should he be unavailable for the season opener on Sept. 12 against Washington.

This is the second time Bell has faced discipline from the league. He sat out the first two games of the 2015 season as punishment for his arrest in August 2014 on DUI and marijuana possession charges following a traffic stop. Bell was originally suspended three games before it was reduced on appeal.

Heading into the final season of his rookie deal, the 24-year-old understands he could be developing a reputation for offthe-field issues that may follow him around as he heads into the prime of a career that seems remarkably bright when he’s available.

“That’s always something that’s in your head,” Bell said. “I’m sure people feel a certain way about me and that’s understandable but like I said, I can only control what I can control and let everything handle itself.”

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin demurred when asked about Bell’s status and will wait until the case is adjudicated, noting “anything prior to that is speculation and I’m not in the speculation business.”

Pittsburgh is already without wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who will miss the entire season after getting suspended at least a year in March for a second violation of the policy.

While losing Bell in the short term would not be catastrophic for a team coming off a second straight playoff appearance, it’s not exactly ideal either.

“We’re so talented and to lose guys like that is frustrating,” guard David DeCastro said. “You want to have everyone there. Then again we’re used to it sadly.”