Coach Mike Tomlin gave what he called "encouraging news" on running back Le'Veon Bell, reporting that he been diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain that won't require surgery. Tomlin said while an injury in the foot does involve the lisfranc, it's not like the lisfranc injury suffered by tight end Matt Spaeth, who did undergo surgery.
Bell, the team's second-round draft pick who is battling for the starting job, suffered the injury against the Washington Redskins on Monday night in the first quarter and didn't return.
Bell won't play in the Steelers preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field this week, and while no timetable for his return has been determined yet, Tomlin did say they will treat it conservatively.
"We are optimistic and encouraged in how it's developed over the last 48-72 hours," said Tomlin. "He is doing some things without discomfort, some rehabilitation –like exercises. It won't be surgically repaired or need to be surgically repaired. So, all of those things are positive.
"I don't have a long-range schedule. All I can say at this point is we'll treat it conservatively with rehabilitation and we can just declare him out for this week. But, in the big scheme of things, that is encouraging news."
