Report: Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell doesn’t need offseason surgery on injured groin

Injuries haven’t been kind to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell since he became a professional in 2013. In his rookie season he missed the early portions of the year with a foot injury, his second season was ended early with a hyper extended knee, his third season was also ended with a knee injury and this past season was ended early with a groin injury during the team’s march throughout the playoffs.

The one positive for Bell, after this latest injury setback, is it seems there won’t need to be offseason surgery on the groin which kept him out three-quarters of the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the All-Pro running back won’t be forced to have surgery, something which was rumored to have to happen earlier this offseason. In fact, Bell was seeking the advice from several professionals regarding how to handle his offseason injury.

Rapoport’s report is good news for the Steelers, and their global fan base. Any time an athlete doesn’t need to have surgery is a good thing. Just ask Maurkice Pouncey, who suffered multiple infections for a rather routine ankle surgery before the 2015 regular season, and ended his season.

Bell would have undergone surgery already, if it were needed, to allow him to properly heal before the team starts up their offseason workouts. However, no surgery means the groin will be able to heal on its own with proper physical therapy and a regimen directly implemented to help Bell not just get back on the field, but back stronger than he was in 2016.