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The Pittsburgh Steelers knew a suspension was coming for Le'Veon Bell, but they weren't expecting this.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Bell has been suspended for the first first three games of the 2015 NFL season, though he's appealing it:
Pitt RB LeVeon Bell suspended 3 games, fined additional game check for violating substance abuse policy, per league sources. He is appealing
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2015
LeGarrette Blount gets 1-game suspension, LeVeon Bell 3-game suspension now under appeal. Bell charged w/ DUI, plus marijuana possession.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 9, 2015
Bell's suspension stems from an offseason arrest for a DUI and marijuana possession last year. It happened during the preseason, when he and then-teammate LeGarrette Blount were arrested for marijuana possession. Bell was facing at least a two-game suspension for his DUI, and he faced up to a four-game ban, as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted last month.
Because Bell was the driver, he was hit with DUI as well. Blount was suspended for one game to start the 2015 season, but it's Bell who will be missed by his team most after he had 2,215 yards from scrimmage, 11 touchdowns and made the All-Pro team last season.
Pittsburgh signed DeAngelo Williams from the Carolina Panthers this offseason, but he has had durability issues in recent years and wasn't the same back he was in his prime, what led Carolina to cut him this offseason.