Jets RB Le'Veon Bell not expected to play first preseason game

Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The New York Jets are not expected to have Le'Veon Bell on the field during their preseason opener against the New York Giants Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Sources informed the New York Post and SNY of Bell's expected absence from the game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. EDT.

Bell signed with the Jets in March as a free agent. He's playing on the first year of a four-year, $52.5 million contract. The three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro sat out the entire 2018 season after declining to sign his franchise tag tender with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jets coach Adam Gase told reporters Tuesday he had yet to talk to Bell about playing in Thursday's clash. Gase also called the decision to play Bell "tough." He compared the situation to when he was the Miami Dolphins coach last season and he told veteran running back Frank Gore he wasn't playing. Gore came to Gase's office every day until the coach allowed him to play in the team's third preseason game.

"It's maddening with a guy like that that wants to play that bad and it is a fine line with Le'Veon, he hasn't played in a year," Gase said.

"At the same time, when's the right time? Is it this game? Is it the next one? Is it the next one? Do we just not play him this preseason? Do we go through the whole time and just give him reps? All those questions are what we keep talking about."

The Jets battle the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, Aug. 15. They face the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles in their final two preseason matchups.