In light of the NFL upholding Tom Brady's suspension, the NFL has decided to be nicer to the Steelers running back than Brady.
The NFL reached a settlement for Bell and now the Steelers running back is going to come back one week earlier than expected.
Bell enjoyed a great year for the Steelers last year, rushing for over 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns but he won't be with the Steelers for the first two games. Considering Bell was the Steelers workhorse on offense last season, they will have to find more offensive production from the backups.
The passing offense with Antonio Brown and Big Ben will help the Steelers but they will have to find some production from the likes of DeAngelo Williams and Ben Tate. Expect Williams and Tate to split carries as both are reliable backs but both can struggle at times. One thing the Steelers will miss for sure will be Bell's ability to catch out of the backfield and his size. The Steelers will miss him the first two weeks.
The first two game for the Steelers is against the Patriots and the 49ers. Two teams that are very physical and the Steelers will miss Bell when trying to run the ball against those two teams. Look for the Steelers to throw the ball more in the first two weeks with Bell out of the lineup. Look for the likes of Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Heath Miller to get more targets while Bell serves his suspension.
But even though he will be out for the first two games, the Steelers will gladly accept him back one week earlier. Week 3 is when they face the Rams, a defense that is on the rise and Bell will likely be used as a workhorse in that game and will be expected to build off of his great year last year.
Although it is only a reduction of one game, the Steelers and Bell will take it.