Steelers star Bell hints at his return

Le’Veon Bell might be ready to head back to work. The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t exactly look like they need him.

The star running back tweeted “Farewell Miami” on Monday, possibly indicating the end of his monthslong standoff with the club. Bell hasn’t been inside the Pittsburgh locker room since last January, opting to stay away rather than sign his one-year franchise tender. The twotime all-pro has sacrificed half of the $14.4 million he’s due this season but needs to report by Nov. 13 to make sure he accrues enough service time to reach free agency in March.

Bell’s extended absence initially created a furor inside the locker room. Now, it seems almost like an afterthought. The Steelers (5-2-1) have ripped off four straight victories heading into Thursday night’s visit from Carolina (6-2), relying heavily on James Conner – Bell’s replacement – to surge into the lead in the AFC North.

Conner topped 100 yards rushing for a fourth straight week during a 23-16 victory over Baltimore on Sunday, and caught his first career touchdown pass when he took a short flip from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and bulled past Baltimore safety Eric Weddle at the pylon.

“He’s showing that no challenge is too big for him, against the No. 1 defense or whoever it might be,” Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva said of Conner. “You know when you’re so close to him, and he lowers his shoulder, and you see him get a couple yards, it’s extremely motivating.”

Conner is second in the league in all-purpose yards and touches behind Los Angeles Rams standout Todd Gurley and tied for fourth in total touchdowns.

Chargers cut Sturgis: The Los Angeles Chargers released kicker Caleb Sturgis and promoted Michael Badgley from the practice squad.

Sturgis’ release came after he missed two extra points and a field goal in Sunday’s 25-17 win over Seattle. The six-year veteran is the first kicker since the Raiders’ Jim Breech in 1979 to miss a PAT and field goal in three straight games.

Sturgis was 9 of 15 this season on extra points and 9 of 13 on field goals. He had missed only four extra points coming into the season.

Game moved: The NFL has moved the Vikings game at Chicago from Sunday afternoon to prime time on NBC on Nov. 18.

That bumps Steelers at Jaguars to noon Milwaukee time on CBS. Also moving that day is the matchup between the Eagles and Saints, now a 3:25 p.m. game on Fox.