Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell underwent season-ending surgery Friday and is on target to play in the 2016 season opener.
Bell's surgery went well, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. He required an MCL and PCL repair but his ACL did not require surgical attention.
Bell and the team are optimistic for a Week 1 return, though obviously he will be monitored closely in the preseason and the team will likely hold him back there somewhat. Bell is in tremendous shape and generally recovers quickly.
The Steelers put Bell on injured reserve on Monday, less than 24 hours after the running back injured his right knee during the second quarter of Pittsburgh's 16-10 loss to the Bengals.
Bell was injured after taking a hit from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, a hit that led Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster to call out the Bengals -- and Burfict -- for trying to injure Steelers players.
Burfict denied that he was trying to injure anyone and called Bell a "good friend." Bell missed the first two games of the season due to suspension before returning in Week 3. In the six games he played in, Bell carried the ball 113 times for 556 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 24 receptions for 136 yards.
