Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount will both reportedly play in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to ESPN, sources have said that the running backs will each get playing time despite their arrests and pending marijuana possession charges.
On Wednesday, Ross Township police stopped a vehicle carrying both Bell and Blount and found about 20 grams of marijuana in the car.
In the State of Pennsylvania, possession of 30 grams or less is punishable by fines of $500 and can result in 30 days of jail time.
An unidentified female was also in the car with them and is expected to face the same charges.
The 22-year-old Bell and the 27-year-old Blount could face additional disciplinary action by the league. However, many are surprised that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is allowing the backs to play in the third preseason game, because he is viewed as a no-nonsense coach. Some believe that Tomlin is sending the wrong message by letting them take the field so soon after the incident.
Bell and Blount are the first and second-string running backs on the team. They were both productive last season as Bell had eight touchdowns for the Steelers and Blount, who was with the New England Patriots at the time, had seven, notes Pro-Football-Reference.com.