Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison suggested that running back Le'Veon Bell should return to the team this season but feign injuries to protect his health.

Harrison said Tuesday on Fox Sports 1 that, if he were in Bell's shoes, he would report to the Steelers as late as possible — in mid-November — and practice regularly. But he would fake injuries to avoid playing in games.

"For me, I'd give you everything in practice. You would see, the cameras would see that I am fine, I'm healthy," Harrison said on Fox Sports 1. "But come Saturday, something ain't right. I can't play on Sunday. Because if I go out here and I mess something up, I'm losing a lot of money."

Bell has yet to play for the Steelers this season after refusing to sign as a franchise player for $14.5 million over the offseason. According to the league's collective bargaining agreement, he has until Nov. 13 to sign his franchise tender or he will not be permitted to play the rest of the season. Failing to sign the tender would also allow the Steelers to tag Bell again next year at the rate he would have made in 2018 rather than at the heftier price of a third consecutive franchise tag.

ESPN reported Sunday that the Steelers were fielding trade offers for the 26-year-old running back.

Bell, who was a second-round pick in the 2013 draft, has blossomed into one of the league's best running backs, rushing for more than 5,000 yards over the course of his five-year career — including consecutive 1,200-yard seasons in 2016 and 2017.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.