Le'Veon Bell

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is "not allowed" to attend the team's mandatory minicamp as he has yet to sign his franchise tender.

Fantasy Impact

Since Bell has yet to sign his franchise tag, he is "not allowed" to attend mandatory minicamp, per Schefter. The 25-year-old elusive rusher is attempting to negotiate a long-term deal with the Steelers, but it is uncertain whether or not it will get done by the July 15 deadline. In that scenario, Bell would be forced to play the 2017 season under the tender or elect to hold out. Still, With or without a deal, I fully expect Bell to be on the field for the Steelers in Week 1.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has yet to sign his franchise tender.

Fantasy Impact

Bell remains unsigned as he has yet to sign his franchise tender. As a result, Rapoport does not expect the elite rusher to attend OTAs or any mandatory practice session moving forward. However, per reports, neither the Steelers or Bell are worried about the running back's playing status for 2017 as a deal could be agreed upon by the July 15 deadline. If an agreement is not reached, Bell is still expected to play the upcoming campaign under the $12.1 million franchise tag value which is fully guaranteed.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told the media that there is "no timetable" for running back Le'Veon Bell's (groin) return from the groin surgery he underwent in mid-March. "Our goal is to have him 100 percent for the 2017 season," Colbert said Sunday.

Fantasy Impact

Bell underwent groin surgery in mid-March and is unlikely to participate in OTAs in the spring. However, the elusive and versatile rusher is fully expected to be ready for training camp in July. Barring a setback that could include injury or an unforeseen suspension, Bell is a presumed top-five pick in upcoming fantasy drafts for the 2017 campaign.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (core) underwent surgery Monday to repair a core muscle injury. Rapoport adds that the normal recovery timeline is roughly "six weeks or so."

Fantasy Impact

Bell will undergo surgery to repair a core muscle injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least the next six weeks. Barring a setback, he should be good to go for training camp, but his availability for spring workouts is up in the air. Bell is a top three fantasy running back entering 2017.

NFL Insider Aditi Kinkhabwala reports the Pittsburgh Steelers are "heavy into negotiations" with running back Le'Veon Bell on a new long-term deal.

Fantasy Impact

Bell, who was franchise tagged earlier in the week, is expected to receive a long-term deal that has a "very good chance" to set the market for free-agent running backs. Expect an agreement to be reached well before the July 15 deadline.