Steelers' Bell plans to report Monday

All signs point to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell ending his holdout and reporting to the team within the next week, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bell has told some of his teammates he will report on Monday, as the Steelers have their first practice in preparation for the Sept. 9 opener against the Cleveland Browns. The report adds that the Steelers are operating based on the assumption that Bell will be there Monday.

NFL Network reported later Tuesday that Bell could report on Saturday or Sunday, but either way, the back is expected to join the team for Week 1.

Bell appeared to disagree with the Post-Gazette report, tweeting later Tuesday, "don't believe the fake news, I never said anything to anyone..."

Bell has been absent from the team's entire offseason program and training camp while on the franchise tag for the second consecutive year. Last year, he reported on the Monday before the Steelers' regular-season opener, after coming in for a physical a few days earlier. He started the opener and totaled 13 touches for 47 yards, before getting 91 touches for 375 yards and three scores over the ensuing three weeks.

New offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said the team will determine Bell's early workload this season based on how the 26-year-old looks when he rejoins the team.

"That's a hard question because it's Le'Veon," Fichtner said. "You'd like to think that he'll be in good shape. But we'll have to evaluate where he's at -- conditioning, health, things like that.

"...We've given reps to other guys. That's all part of it. We'll be hopeful when he gets here. I'll be excited to see him."

In Bell's absence, 2017 third-round pick James Conner has emerged as the clear No. 2 back while working primarily with the starters. He has impressed in the preseason, collecting 100 yards on 19 carries (5.3 average) with a 26-yard touchdown.

Bell led the NFL in rushing attempts (321) and total touches (406) last season, finishing with 1,291 yards and nine scores on the ground to go with 655 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He earned his third Pro Bowl appearance and second first-team All-Pro nod.

He is scheduled to hit free agency this offseason after making $14.54 million on the franchise tag in 2018. The Steelers are not expected to tag Bell a third time, as it would cost more than $17 million for the 2019 season.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)