Pittsburgh Steelers say possible Le'Veon Bell suspension won't be distracting

LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are probably as glad as anyone that training camp arrived. They made offseason headlines for all the wrong reasons.

First, wide receiver Martavis Bryant received a year-long drug suspension in March, and one week before the Steelers reported to Saint Vincent College for training camp, it was revealed running back Le'Veon Bell is facing a four-game drug suspension.

Bell reported with the rest of his teammates Thursday, but he didn't have much to say about his impending suspension that is under appeal.

"I'm going to let it take its course and see what happens," Bell said.

Missed drug tests are reportedly the reason for the suspension. A missed test is viewed the same as a failed test under the guidelines of the league's substance abuse policy.

ESPN 970 reported Bell changed his cell-phone number and failed to notify the NFL, which is his responsibility. Bell said he was first made aware of the suspension in March. The appeal is not expected to be heard until the second week of August.

If the suspension is upheld, Bell will miss games for a second year in a row due to a drug suspension. He missed two games last season for a DUI when he admitted to smoking marijuana prior to being stopped by police. That admission placed him into Stage 2 of the league's substance abuse program.

Veteran DeAngelo Williams would take over the starting running back duties if Bell is suspended. He rushed for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns last season when Bell missed 10 games due to the suspension and a season-ending knee injury.

Bell's teammates are determined that his situation won't affect their ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.

"It's no distraction," linebacker Arthur Moats said. "Things come up. It doesn't matter if someone is hurt or having off-field issues. At the end of the day whoever is out there will perform at a high level. You have to have that mentality. You can't let anything distract you. We have one goal in mind this year."

When veteran center Maurkice Pouncey was asked if he worried about Bell's status with the team he replied, "I worry about the Pittsburgh Steelers and who is going to play the first game."

"We're so talented and to lose guys and not have them, it's frustrating," guard David DeCastro added. "We're used to it, sadly. DeAngelo will be more than capable."