Le’Veon Bell Facing Four-Game Suspension
SATURDAY, 1:35pm: Bell missed several drug tests, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). Players in the substance-abuse program are subject to far more tests than their brethren with clean drug records, whom are only generally tested once a year, Smith points out. Failing to turn up for many tests would make his chances of winning an appeal highly unlikely and potentially cloud his future.
FRIDAY, 8:53am: Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL’s drug policy, sources close to the situation tell ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano (on Twitter). The suspension is the result of a missed drug test rather than a failed one. 
[RELATED – Impact Rookies: Pittsburgh Steelers]
There has been no announcement on the pending suspension because the appeal process is ongoing, Graziano hears. No date for Bell’s appeal has been set, though it’s expected that it will be heard before the start of the regular season. Bell was sidelined for the first two games of the 2015 season because of an arrest on marijuana possession and DUI in the summer of 2014.
If Bell is sidelined for the first month of the season, the Steelers will likely use DeAngelo Williams as their primary back until he returns. Behind Williams, the Steelers also have backs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Daryl Richardson, as shown on Roster Resource.
Between Bell’s suspension and injury last season, the tailback appeared in only six games for the Steelers in 2015. Despite Bell’s 10-game absence, the Steelers had the eighth-best yards-per-carry average in the league last season, when Williams amassed 907 yards and 11 touchdowns on 200 carries in his age-32 campaign.
Bell has now put himself in a bad spot as he enters a contract year. Not only is the 24-year-old returning from a torn MCL and PCL, he also has raised some serious concerns about his off-field behavior. This summer, Bell declared in a rap song that he is seeking $15MM/year on his next contract.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/16
Today’s minor moves:
- Rookie cornerback Richard Leonard has reverted to the Texans‘ injured reserve list after being waived-injured, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. Leonard is recovering from hamstring surgery.
- The Patriots signed undrafted University of Tennessee offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson today, a source tells Wilson (on Twitter). Kerbyson plays both left tackle and guard.
- The Eagles announced the release of wide receiver Jonathan Krause, who was promoted to the 53-man roster last November to fill in for Miles Austin. To take Krause’s place and keep their roster at 88 players, the Eagles will sign free agent linebacker Don Cherry, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Cherry played college football at nearby Villanova and went undrafted this year. He caught on with the Bears, but they ended up waiving him in June.
Pigskin Links: Giants, Foster, Packers
Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.
We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send us an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.
Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere:
- The NFL Draft Report looked at some of the Giants’ UDFAs.
- Wayniac Nation looked at Arian Foster in Miami and an AFC East rival.
- Brew City Sports Report sees Datone Jones and other Packers breaking out.
- Fantasy Pros says Jameis Winston is in for a bigger season than many expect.
- Colts Club previewed Indianapolis’ best UDFAs.
- Titans247 looked at the Titans WRs who will make the cut.
- Sports Central made some satirical predictions for this season.
- Total Sports Live examined Eagles wide receiver Josh Huff.
Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.
Bears Release Omar Bolden
3:57pm: Bolden’s exit from the Bears’ roster might only be temporary, according to Eli Kaberon of the team’s official site (Twitter link). Chicago released Bolden to make room for Charles Tillman, who will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Bear. Once that goes through, Bolden could rejoin the club in time for training camp, per Kaberon.
3:26pm: The Bears announced that they have released safety Omar Bolden. Bolden signed a one-year, $840K deal ($80K guaranteed) with Chicago in March. 
[RELATED: Charles Tillman Will Retire With Bears]
When he signed this spring, Bolden became the latest in a series of former Broncos who played under John Fox in Denver to join the head coach in Chicago. The Bears also added the likes of linebacker Danny Trevathan, offensive lineman Manuel Ramirez, and long snapper Aaron Brewer, but the reunion didn’t last long for Bolden.
A fourth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2012, Bolden never really played a major role on defense during his four years in Denver. However, he has been something of a jack-of-all-trades in Denver, contributing in the return game and in punt and kick coverage. Now, the Bears seem to be going in a different direction on special teams.
Bolden recorded his first career touchdown in 2015, returning a punt 83 yards for a score. In the postseason, the 27-year-old’s lone punt return, against the Steelers in the divisional round, went for 42 yards.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Colts’ Arthur Jones Suspended Four Games
After news of a pending four-game suspension for Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell broke this morning, another prominent NFL player is facing a ban for the first month of NFL action. The NFL announced that Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones has been tagged with a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. 
The PED suspension just marks the latest setback for Jones, who has struggled with injuries in his time with the Colts. He was a disappointment in 2014 – his first season with the team – after signing a five-year, $33MM deal, totaling 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks in just nine games (three starts). Then, as he was gearing up for what he hoped would be a bounce-back campaign, Jones tore ligaments in his ankle. In September, Jones went under the knife, ending his 2015 season before it could even begin. In March, the Colts and Jones worked out a new deal paying him $2.5MM rather than the $4.5MM he was originally slated to make.
In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures.
It has been a rough year for the Jones family. Just a few weeks ago, Arthur’s younger brother Jon Jones tested positive for steroids and was removed from UFC 200. Jones, who is the UFC’s interim light heavyweight champion, could be facing a two year ban from competition.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Investigating Ezekiel Elliott Allegations
2:36pm: Elliott’s father, Stacy Elliott, issued a statement to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link):
“The reported allegations and Internet postings regarding our son are completely false. Ezekiel has done nothing wrong. The police have investigated this matter and eyewitnesses have verified the lack of any wrongdoing. The actual evidence in this matter clearly indicates what the real motivation was behind the police being called. We are confident that when the truth comes to light it will reveal the falsity of these claims. Ezekiel has been fully cooperative with the police and will continue to do so—along with cooperating with the NFL—moving forward.”
11:40am: Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been named a suspect in a domestic violence police report, as first reported by TMZ Sports. Elliott, meanwhile, has denied any wrongdoing and was not arrested. The Cowboys do not believe that the allegations have merit either, Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram hears (Twitter link). Hill hears that Elliott broke off the relationship and the alleged victim said she would ruin him if he did, leading to the accusations (via Twitter).
Still, per protocol, the NFL is looking into the allegations, as Mike Florio of PFT writes. 
[RELATED – Jerry Jones: Cowboys Coaches Fought For Rolando McClain]
“[W]e begin a review when we become aware of a potential violation of the personal conduct policy,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said via email.
The accuser filed a report with the Columbus, Ohio police department on Friday morning, saying she was assaulted by Elliott, who she says is her former live-in boyfriend. The woman says that she was sitting in the driver’s seat of her parked vehicle when the running back struck her. The accuser cited pain in her wrist and a red mark, but refused medical treatment. Elliott not only denied striking the woman, but he also said that he never lived with her. One person with Elliott’s agency told TMZ: “I can assure you [the allegations] are not true.”
While the police report was filed today, Florio says it is unclear whether the alleged misconduct happened before or after the Cowboys used the No. 4 overall pick to select the Ohio State product.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC West Notes: Bennett, Seahawks, 49ers
Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett is still upset with his contract and Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) offered up a potential solution to the issue. He writes that Seattle could convert his $1MM 46-man active roster bonus ($62,500 per game) into base salary, which would give him some extra financial security. That gesture might not satisfy Bennett, who finds himself ranked 10th in average annual salary amongst 4-3 defensive ends and 27th in the NFL amongst all defensive linemen. Bennett is entering the year three of a four-year, $28.5MM deal.
- When asked if Anthony Davis plans on filing for reinstatement, allowing him to report to 49ers camp on time, the offensive lineman’s camp declined comment, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com tweets. Meanwhile, based on what Davis has been posting on social media, it seems like he is training for a comeback, Maiocco writes.
- In this week’s mailbag, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com compared the expectations of the team under new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly versus where the bar was set in Jim Harbaugh‘s first season.
- Sad news this morning as we learned that former Cardinals head coach Dennis Green has passed away at the age of 67.
- An early June report indicated that the Rams were working on extensions for both general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher, but it sounds like little progress has been made on either front. Fisher is reportedly among the highest-paid coaches in the league, as he’s reportedly earning around $7MM annually.
NFC North Notes: Packers, Matthews, Peppers
The NFL is looking into whether Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers used performance enhancing drugs, but team president and CEO Mark Murphy says that the organization has not been looped in on theAl Jazeera investigation as it pertains to its players.
“The league is pursuing that,” Murphy said, according to Michael Cohen of the Journal Sentinel. “I know there’s been some resistance from the NFLPA about the credibility of some of the sources there. But I don’t think we know much more than that.”
Matthes, Peppers, and the other players cited in the infamous Al Jazeera documentary have denied any wrongdoing. The league is planning to interview all of the players named in the December doc, but the union is resisting on grounds that it will set a precedent going forward.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com previewed the Lions‘ cornerback group heading into training camp. Of course, Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, and 2015 third-round pick Alex Carter are locks for the 53-man roster. After that, Johnson Bademosi, Darrin Walls, Ian Wells, Crezdon Butler, Charles Washington, Adairius Barnes, and Keith Lewis are all fighting to make the cut. Bademosi should be there thanks to his special teams skills. Meanwhile, both Walls and Butler offer veteran experience and could also make a case for sticking around in September. For a complete look at the Lions’ roster, check out their depth chart on Roster Resource.
- In looking at the Vikings‘ running back depth chart, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune notes that fullback Zach Line could be in danger of losing his spot to Blake Renaud, a converted collegiate linebacker. Renaud spent the 2015 season on the team’s practice squad, a sign that they hold him in high regard even as many teams have moved away from the fullback position.
- Earlier this week, the Bears signed veteran guard Amini Silatolu.
AFC East Notes: F. Jackson, Bills, Jets, Pats
Here’s a look at the AFC East:
- Given their issues in the backfield, could the Bills welcome Fred Jackson back to Buffalo? Starting safety Aaron Williams took to Twitter on Thursday to voice his support for such a move, as Joe Buscaglia of WKBW writes. A report in February indicated that the 35-year-old hopes to continue playing in 2016. Jackson spent the 2015 season with the Seahawks and appeared in all 16 regular season games. In total, he had 26 carries for 100 yards and 32 receptions for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jackson was used sparingly in Seattle, resulting in the lowest output of his nine-year career. We haven’t heard much in the way of NFL interest for Jackson this offseason.
- As the Jets get ready for training camp, there are three veterans in particular who will be fighting for their spots on the 53-man roster, Dom Consentino of NJ.com writes. That list includes kicker Nick Folk, who is being pushed by rising sophomore Ross Martin after missing the second half of last season with a quad injury. Running back Zac Stacy is also fighting for a job after rushing only 31 times in eight games last year. As shown on Roster Resource, Stacy could be the odd man out with Matt Forte, Khiry Robinson, and Bilal Powell being retained. The Jets are also keeping an eye on UDFA running back Romar Morris.
- Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, a Naval Academy product, was informed that his transition to the reserves is complete, meaning that he will be able to join his team at the start of training camp, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss (on Twitter). On Thursday, the Pats released long snapper Christian Yount, an indication that Cardona would be available for the 2016 season.
Bills’ Gilmore To Play Out Final Contract Year
Talks have not progressed between the Bills and cornerback Stephon Gilmore and he is now set to play out the last year of his contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Gilmore will now earn $11.082MM for 2016, per the terms of his exercised fifth-year option. 
Gilmore would reportedly like a contract similar to the five-year, $75MM pact Josh Norman inked with the Redskins in April but the Bills aren’t ready to approach that type of compensation for their 2012 first-round pick. Norman is currently among the league’s top cornerbacks in average annual value ($15MM, first), total guarantees ($50MM, first) and guaranteed money at signing ($36.5MM, second), but with the cap rising and prices for corners increasing, those rankings might not last long.
Whether it’s from the Bills or someone else, Gilmore has a case to approach Norman’s deal – especially given that he’s three years younger. And while the ex-South Carolina standout has missed 11 games since 2013, he has nonetheless been a stalwart for Buffalo. The 10th overall selection in his draft class, Gilmore has logged 53 appearances, 51 starts and nine interceptions since entering the NFL. Three of those INTs came last season in 12 games for Gilmore, whom Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked a tremendous ninth among 111 qualifying corners (Norman finished 11th).
If Gilmore were to hold out from camp, he would lose $40K per day. Needless to say, a holdout is not likely for Gilmore or any other player unhappy with his contract situation.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.