Coach Mike Tomlin said today that rookie running back Le'Veon Bell has a mid-foot sprain in his right foot, but the injury is not as severe as initially feared and he is "optimistic and encouraged" how Bell's foot has responded, Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report. Tomlin said Bell would not play in Saturday night's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field, but would not speculate on a possible return date. But he said Bell does not need surgery and that the injury is not a Lisfranc sprain similar to the one incurred tight end Matt Spaeth two weeks ago. Spaeth had surgery to repair the tear and will be out at least eight to 10 weeks. "We are optimistic and encouraged how it has developed over the last 48 and 72 hours, doing some things without discomfort," Tomlin said. "All those things are positive. "We don't have a long range schedule [for his return]. We'll treat it conservatively with rehab and declare him out this week. But in the big scheme of things, that is encouraging news." Asked if Bell would be ready for the regular-season opener against Tennessee, Tomlin said, "I hadn't asked. It's just great to hear that it is what it is. It's perking up day by day."
if its just mid foot and he can walk around and excerise on it its way less severe than a tear in the lisfranc, which is usually non weight bearing for a few weeks. Seems like when the swelling went down it become a lot more optimisitc. Still not a lot to be hopeful for for at least a month
