The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the NFL's hottest teams late last season, but that ended when Le'Veon Bell missed a playoff game with a knee injury.
The Steelers are an intriguing team coming into this season, but they'll also start the year without Bell for three games.
Bell has been suspended three games and fined an additional game check for a suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession arrest last year, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported. New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was suspended one game from the same incident. The difference was he didn't have the DUI charge like Bell did. Schefter reported Bell is appealing.
Even if Bell gets the suspension reduced, it's a big blow to the Steelers. They looked a bit lost on offense without their do-everything back in a playoff loss to the Ravens. The AFC North will again be very competitive and the difference between a division title, or a playoff spot at all, might be what happens to the Steelers when Bell is out.
Pittsburgh signed DeAngelo Williams, the longtime Carolina Panthers back, this offseason. But he has had durability issues in recent years and wasn't the same back he was in his prime. He's certainly not the same back Bell is. Bell had 2,215 yards from scrimmage, 11 touchdowns and made the All-Pro team last season. After the Steelers cut Blount, Bell rarely came off the field, a rarity for a running back in this era.
There's still a lot to like about the Steelers' offense this season, but it won't be the same until their star running back can play.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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