Le'Veon Bell would miss week 7 as James Conner continues to shine for Steelers

Le'Veon Bell and James Conner made a nice compliment after Conner's 111-yard rushing performance in the Pittsburgh Steelers win on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether Bell's congratulations were genuine or whether the big dog is still waiting for his return. The two halves are expected to soon share Pittsburgh's locker room and backcourt – though apparently not as early as expected – but one of them is already taking up space in the team's psyche .

Bell, whose striker spent week 6 on Sunday, had already announced his intention to present himself this week at a time when his team is about to leave. That could have prepared him for a game on Oct. 28 against the Browns, not to mention his eligibility for a possible trade before the October 30 NFL deadline, but Monday passed and left without him, and several Pittsburgh reports claimed that the Steelers were not expecting Bell to be back this week.

In six Bell absences, Conner rushed for 453 yards (with three 100-yard games) and scored seven touchdowns. Since 1950, only Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris rushed for seven touchdowns in the first six games of Pittsburgh.

Bell was kind enough to take note, tweeting"Damn James" alongside a muscle emoji after Conner's 16-yard gain in the third quarter. Conner tweeted two muscular emoji back, adding, "been watching the band L Bell!"

"James was a bowling ball today," Roethlisberger told the press (via TribLive.com) after Pittsburgh's 28-21 win Sunday on the Bengals, attempting to clear up information and drama. unusual surrounding the Steelers. "What a great game, but I know it's his last game for us because Le'Veon is coming back. I thought he was successful in his last.

The reporters asked for more information after Roethlisberger launched this small bomb, and he said with a smile, "That's exactly what I heard."

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The imminent comeback has spawned many rumors, according to sources telling ESPN that Steelers officials and players had no news from Bell, which could come back anytime before October 22. the agreement stipulates that players must have four consecutive days off during the holiday period. Bell could report during this period, but he will have to sign his tender for the franchise, set at $ 14.5 million before the season, upon his return.

Bell's reserve cost him $ 855,000 for each week of the regular season that he missed, for a total amount of more than $ 5 million so far. Even if and when it comes back, with Week 10 considered the last point because it represents a deadline on the NFL calendar, the Steelers will have the option of placing it on the bargain free status. a lower rate of pay for this period.

Meanwhile, Conner continues to play well.

"He looked in the eye and he had a good week of work," said coach Mike Tomlin. "James just wants to put his hand in the pile and be one of the reasons we win. He wants to prove it. "

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