Le’Veon Bell reportedly not expected to return to Steelers during bye

Pittsburgh Steelers fans continue to sit and wait for when Le’Veon Bell might decide to return to the team, and they are apparently going to be waiting at least another week.

According to multiple reports, the Steelers do not expect Bell to return during the team’s bye week.

This just in from Steelers source : The Steelers are not expecting Le’Veon Bell to show up this week despite previous reports.

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) October 15, 2018

Am told by a source that the @steelers are NOT expecting RB Le'Veon Bell to report to the team this week. The team goes into their bye without him.

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 15, 2018

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on Sunday that Bell was expected to show up to the Steelers’ facility at some point between Monday and next Monday, Oct. 22. There was some speculation that he could report during the bye so he can collect his Week 7 game check without actually playing in a game, but that is apparently not his plan.

Bell does not have to sign his franchise tender until Week 10 to prevent his contract from tolling, so it would make some sense for him to continue his holdout until then if he is trying to limit injury exposure. We have heard at least one team linked to Bell in trade rumors, and he could potentially change his mind about when he signs the franchise tender if Pittsburgh explores a trade.