AP

Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will start the season on suspension, but on a shorter suspension than initially expected.

Bell will be suspended for three games, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. He was reported to be facing a four-game suspension for missing drug tests.

It’s the second year in a row that Bell has started the season on suspension, and the second year in a row he has had his suspension reduced. Last year Bell was initially suspended for the first three games of the season but had that reduced to two games.

Bell will now miss Week One at Washington, Week Two against the Bengals and Week Three at Philadelphia before returning for Week Four against the Chiefs.