Reports: Bell plans return to Steelers
Le’Veon Bell is returning to the Steelers. Eventually. The two-time All-Pro running back plans to return to the Steelers during the team’s Week 7 off week, ESPN reported Monday night.
Bell told ESPN that he “definitely plans to play football for the Steelers this season.”
“It sucks having to sit out football,” Bell added. “I want to play. I want to win games and the playoffs.”
“But I’ve gotta take this stand. Knowing my worth and knowing I can tear a ligament or get surgery at any time, I knew I couldn’t play 16 games with 400 or more touches.”
The running back’s absence has been the talk of the NFL for weeks as Bell and the team have been at odds over a long-term contract.
That situation has yet to resolve itself, but Bell re- portedly still is holding out hope the team will re-sign him to a long-term contract once his franchise tag is up.
The return of Bell certainly would give the Steelers ground game a boost, however according to another ESPN report, the Steelers still are listening to trade offers for him
Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter made it official, naming Jameis Winston the team’s starter at quarterback when they face the Falcons on Oct. 14 after their off week.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft missed the first three games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first player in league history to throw for more than 400 yards in three consecutive games while leading the Bucs to a 2-2 start in Winston’s absence. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette likely will miss Sunday’s game against the Chiefs and may be out even longer after re-injuring his right hamstring during last weekend’s 31-12 victory over the Jets.
Fournette suffered the original injury during Week 1 and missed the next two games.
Jaguars coach Marrone said tests show the injury is no worse than it was before returning.
Patriots AllPro TE Ron Gronkowski is day to day with an ankle issue. ... Patriots WR Julian Edelman may play Thursday night against the Colts. He will resume practicing Tuesday after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Edelman all of 2017 after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason. ... Paul Allen, the owner of the Seahawks and the NBA’s Trail Blazers, announced that he recently learned that the non-Hodgkin lymphomahewas treated for in 2009 has returned. Allen, 65, said he has already started treatment.