Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell is expected to be suspended for the first two games of next season as a result of his August arrest on marijuana charges, sources told ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton.

Le'Veon Bell faces up to a two-game suspension for his drug-related arrest from this past August. AP Photo/Nick Wass

Bell and former Steelers teammate LeGarrette Blount were arrested Aug. 20 after police smelled marijuana coming from their vehicle, which Bell was driving.

Bell will spend 15 months on probation in a first-offender's program and will have his driver's license suspended for 60 days. Under the terms of the NFL's new substance abuse policy, he faces up to a two-game suspension.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert acknowledged Tuesday that the team will be prepared if Bell receives a suspension.

Pittsburgh sorely missed Bell in its playoff loss to the Ravens, using a platoon of rookie Josh Harris and free agent Ben Tate to replace the injured Pro Bowler.

Bell, 22, was the NFL's second-leading rusher this season, gaining 1,361 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. He also was Pittsburgh's second-leading receiver with 83 catches for 854 yards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.