Le'Veon Bell will reportedly return to Steelers in Week 7

Le'Veon Bell is returning to the Steelers.

Eventually.

The star running back is planning to return to the Steelers during the team's Week 7 bye, according to a report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Citing unnamed sources, Fowler reported that Bell "definitely plans to play football for the Steelers this season."

Le'Veon Bell expects to report to the Steelers during the Week 7 bye, a source told @ESPN. Bell definitely plans to play football for the Steelers this season.
-- Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 1, 2018

"It sucks having to sit out football," Bell told Fowler by telephone on Monday. "I want to play. I want to win games and the playoffs."

"But I've gotta take this stand. Knowing my worth and knowing I can tear a ligament or get surgery at any time, I knew I couldn't play 16 games with 400 or more touches."

The running back's absence has been the talk of the NFL for weeks as Bell and the team have been at odds over a long-term contract.

That situation has yet to resolve itself, but Bell is still holding out hope the team will re-sign him to a long-term contract once his franchise tag is up, according to Fowler's report.

If the former Michigan State standout does in fact report in Week 7, it means he will miss the Steelers' games vs. Atlanta on Oct. 7 and at Cincinnati on Oct. 14. He would return in time for the team's home game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 28.

Second year running back James Conner has been doing a passable job filling in for Bell, but the offense has lacked balance at times without its All-Pro running back.

Conner had just 19 yards rushing in the Steelers Week 4 loss to the Ravens and just 17 yards in its Week 2 loss to Kansas City. The return of Bell would certainly give the run game a boost, however Pittsburgh is still listening to trade offers for him, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Pittsburgh still is expected to be interested in listening to trade offers for RB Le'Veon Bell, per league sources. Bell now planning to report later this month would not dissuade the Steelers from making a deal that made sense.
-- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2018