Jul 28, 2016 5 min read

LATROBE – It rained on the Steelers’ parade into Saint Vincent College Thursday as they reported for the opening of training camp.

The Steelers remain hopeful, however, that the NFL won’t dampen their hopes of a Super Bowl run with a lengthy suspension of running back Le’Veon Bell. Reports of a possible suspension for Bell leaked last week.

“It would be frustrating, but we don’t know yet,” said wide receiver Markus Wheaton. “It sucks to hear that, but we’ll see how it goes.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Bell’s appeal of a possible suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy will come in the second week of August. Tomlin said he plans to ease Bell into practice as the running back returns from a torn MCL and PCL that ended his season in 2015.

Bell, who did only minor work in the offseason, spoke briefly regarding the matter.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to Steelers’ Nation, the fans, my players, (and) coaches for being a distraction with this whole situation,” Bell said. “I don’t, obviously, want to be a distraction. This whole situation, the appeal, I’m going to let everything handle itself. I’m not going to speak on this much, if at all, after this.”

The 24-year-old former Pro Bowl running back was suspended for the first two games of last season after being arrested for DUI and possession of marijuana in 2014. He has since completed his probation for that incident and it has been expunged from his record.

That did not clear him with the NFL. Bell remained in the league’s mandatory drug testing program and he reportedly missed at least one test during the offseason. A missed test in the eyes of the NFL is the same as a positive test. As such, he is subject to a suspension.

If that happens, the Steelers would open the season without two key offensive players. Wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended during the offseason for the 2016 season after also skipping a mandatory drug test. Bryant, who had tested positive for marijuana multiple times, was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2015 season.

For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, losing Bell, even in the short team, would be a big blow.

“You have all this talent and you start losing guys like that, it’s tough,” said Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro. “We’re so talented, but to lose guys or not have them there, it’s frustrating. You want to have everyone there. Then again, we’re used to it, sadly. Guys will step up.”

The Steelers had a number of offensive stars go down with injuries at various times last season, but still managed to go 10-6 and win a playoff game. The goal is to keep everyone healthy.

DeCastro is looking for something positive out of the possibility of Bell being suspended.

“Maybe it will help him out. I was trying to find a silver lining,” DeCastro said. “Obviously, you’re going to miss a special player like that, but maybe it will help him with his knee, give him a little extra time. Any time you’ve had a knee surgery, the more time to really come back (the better). Obviously, taking him away sucks. He’s a really talented player. Hopefully we’ll have him healthy for the back stretch.”

Meanwhile, tight end Ladarius Green, who signed a 4-year, $20-million contract as a free agent in the offseason, will open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list because of an offseason ankle surgery.

Green, who spent the past four years with San Diego, underwent the surgery at the end of last season, so it’s something the Steelers knew would be an issue.

“He’s continued to get better and work back there, but (he’s) not ready for football action,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin had no timetable for Green to begin practicing. Green is expected to help ease the retirement of longtime starter Heath Miller, but he has yet to practice with the Steelers.

“Sometimes, that cohesion happens quickly in some relationships,” Tomlin said. “Sometimes, it takes an extended period of time. I don’t know what it’s going to be for those two. Ladarius has been very attentive in the mental aspect of the game throughout the spring. Hopefully, that aids him in that development.

There’s no substitute for playing and getting a feel for each other and we’re just not able to do that at this point.”

First-year wide receiver Shakim Phillips (sports hernia) and rookie defensive lineman Devaunte Sigler (conditioning) also were placed on the PUP list. … Tomlin said cornerback Senquez Golson should be ready for a full practice today. Golson, a second-round draft pick in 2015, missed last season with a shoulder injury and then missed much of the offseason program with an undisclosed injury. … The Steelers will hold their first practice at 2:55 p.m. today. It is open to the public.