Le'Veon Bell suspension cut from three games to two after settlement
— -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell's suspension has been reduced from three games to two as a result of a settlement between the NFL and NFL Players Association, sources told ESPN's Jarrett Bell.
Bell was suspended in April for his August 2014 arrest on DUI and marijuana possession charges. Bell and then-teammate LeGarrette Blount were arrested while driving to the airport for a preseason game.
At the time of Bell's appeal, his attorneys and the union argued that he was being punished under the league's new drug policy for an offense that occurred under the old policy. The arbitrator encouraged the sides to work toward a settlement.
Blount, who now plays for the New England Patriots, was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession and has been suspended for the first game of the 2015 season. Bell initially was suspended an additional two games for the DUI charge.
In addition to the NFL penalties, Blount was sentenced to 15 months' probation and attended a pretrial intervention program. His driver's license also was suspended for 60 days.
The reduced suspension means Bell will miss the NFL season opener against the Patriots and the Steelers' Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
On Saturday, Bell said he "most definitely" wanted his suspension reduced but said he had no idea how the league would handle his appeal, or if it was even up for evaluation.
"I want to make sure I do everything in my power to be a better teammate and player," Bell said on the first day of Steelers training camp. "Whatever the consequence is, I'll take it. ... You have to take the good with the bad."
Last season, Bell was second in the NFL in rushing yards (1,361) and receptions for a running back (83).
Information from ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler was used in this report.
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