Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Le'Veon Bell will not need surgery for a mid-foot sprain, according to coach Mike Tomlin.
Bell sustained the injury in the team's preseason game against the Washington Redskins on Monday.
Tomlin said Thursday that the injury does involve the lisfranc, but it's not like the lisfranc injury suffered by tight end Matt Spaeth, who did undergo surgery.
"We are optimistic and encouraged in how it's developed over the last 48-72 hours," said Tomlin. "He is doing some things without discomfort, some rehabilitation -- like exercises. It won't be surgically repaired or need to be surgically repaired. So, all of those things are positive.
"I don't have a long-range schedule. All I can say at this point is we'll treat it conservatively with rehabilitation and we can just declare him out for this week. But, in the big scheme of things, that is encouraging news."
Bell, who was running as Pittsburgh's starting running back in camp, has been ruled out of Saturday's preseason matchup against Kansas City.
With Bell out, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are expected to share carries in the backfield. Dwyer led the Steelers with 623 rushing yards on 156 attempts last season.
The Steelers begin the regular season at home against Tennessee on September 8.
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