The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expecting star running back Le'Veon Bell to return to the practice facility this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Bell, of course, has not played this season and is away from the team. The three-time Pro Bowler is holding out for a new contract. The Steelers are on their bye week this week. The club takes on the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 8.

Le'Veon Bell was slated to make $14.5 million this season in the last year of his contract. The 26-year-old is looking for a long-term deal, something the Steelers are supposedly not interested in. As a running back, Bell is putting his body on the line every single play. Seeing what happened to Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas, who fractured his leg after coming back from a similar contract holdout, has to make Bell even more nervous about returning to the field.

The Steelers are currently 3-2-1, tied for third place in the AFC North Division. James Connor has been starting in place of Bell. The 23-year-old has carried the ball 103 times for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. He's averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

In 62 career games with the Steelers, Le'Veon Bell has run for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,229 carries.