For all those optimistic Pittsburgh Steelers fans who are holding out hope that Le'Veon Bell's appeal might go through and his 4-game suspension will be either reduced or eliminated outright, your hopes just took a huge hit.
A recent report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport claimed that Bell didn't just miss 'a' drug test, but "several" tests.
When looking at the logistics of Bell potentially having his appeal not just being heard, which is supposed to happen prior to the regular season starting, but being altered, the fact he didn't just miss one test, which could be chalked up to a multitude of reasons, but several makes any excuse for him not being present to take the test not very plausible.
Bell did have a successful appeal in 2015 when his 3-game suspension stemming from his arrest and DUI while joy riding with LeGarrette Blount was reduced to 2-games. What that incident did was not just cause Bell to miss regular season game time, but placed him in the NFL's Substance Abuse program. Bell now has to undergo more tests than a player who has never had an incident, or has never failed a test, and this shouldn't be breaking news to the All-Pro running back.
Keep in mind a few things. This report is just that, a report, and who the author of the report is, but if it proves to be true Steelers fans shouldn't bank on his appeal getting much traction, if it is even heard at all by the NFL league office.