Cover Photo: Joe Sargent/Getty Images


Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell didn't show up at Steelers training camp on Wednesday, despite many believing he would. That fact seriously puts his status in doubt for Sunday's Week 1 game in Cleveland. 

Typically, teams install the meat-and-potatoes portion of their game plan on Wednesday, but with this being the opening week, the process for Sunday likely began even earlier. 


Bell skipped training camp for the second-straight season, looking to strike on a long-term deal with the Steelers without risking injury. After rejecting a reported 5-year, $70-million extension to stay in Pittsburgh, Bell's only option to play right now is the $14.5-million franchise tag, if he chooses to sign it.


Bell is putting himself in a tough position, from a football perspective, but he'll still be able to cash in by showing up before Saturday.

The Steelers seem intent on letting things play out with or without Bell in Week 1, saying James Conner is ready to start, even if Bell does report. Conner has reportedly been crushing it in camp as well as preseason games, and the thought is he would take over the starting role if Bell moves on from Pittsburgh after the season.

It seems like that transition is being expedited a bit quicker with every passing minute leading up to Sunday's kickoff.

Get $20 with your first deposit on FanDuel. Join Now.

Al Walsh is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Al Walsh also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username 14AdotWalsh. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.