Running back Le'Veon Bell has expressed optimism publicly that he will make a quick return to the field from his mid-foot sprain. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has refused to rule Bell out for Week 2.
In reality, Bell is expected to miss a great deal more of time.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Wednesday that the Steelers are hoping to have Bell return in a month. This is not a surprise. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported in late August that Bell would likely miss around six weeks with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot.
Tomlin disputed the Lisfranc diagnosis publicly at first, but the Tribune-Review confirms Rapoport's original report on the issue. (Tomlin did not address Bell's situation on Tuesday.) Rapoport checked in on the situation on Wednesday and nothing has changed. Bell is only jogging at this stage, NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala noted a few days ago.
In short: Tomlin has no choice but to ride with Isaac Redman for a while longer.
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