Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is holding out of training camp for the second-straight year after failing to come to terms on a long-term deal. Last year, Bell reported on Sept. 1, over a week ahead of their season-opening game.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is hoping to get Bell a little sooner this time around, though. Tomlin may have also taken a slight dig at Bell’s conditioning, saying he hopes the All-Pro running back will arrive in better shape than he did last year.
Mike Tomlin on Le'Veon Bell: "I'm hopeful that he'll get to us sooner. I'm hopeful that he'll be in better condition even than he was a year ago." @EvanWashburn checks in on #T2S to bring us the latest from Steelers camp pic.twitter.com/Z2SwVZstqd
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 30, 2018
After sitting out training camp last year, Bell looked a little off his game through the first few weeks of the season. He had just 61 rushing yards or fewer in three of his first five contests as the Steelers stumbled to a 3-2 start.
But Bell eventually got his act together to deliver a brilliant year. He had 1,946 total yards from scrimmage on a career-high 406 touches with 11 total touchdowns as he was voted First-Team All-Pro for the second time in his career.
Bell revealed earlier this offseason that he’s been keeping in shape through boxing in lieu of more football-related training in order to keep his body relatively fresh.
It remains to be seen if Bell will be able to come out of the gates stronger without the benefit of training camp once again. But as last season showed, Bell remains a critical part of the Steelers. Tomlin and the team will need him in great shape and at peak efficiency in order to reach their true potential this season.
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