Last week, Browns receiver Josh Gordon pleaded guilty to pending DUI charges in order to avoid the mandatory two-game suspension under the new substance-abuse policy. (Gordon may still be suspended, based on his history of substance-abuse policy violations.)
But Gordon apparently didn’t need to move so quickly. Per multiple league sources, the new substance-abuse policy contains a grace period that allows players with pending DUI charges to resolve them under the terms of the old policy.
Bell has until November 1 to resolve the charge.
Most prominently, that includes Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who was cited both for marijuana possession and DUI in August. While the marijuana possession charge could result in a one-game suspension, the mandatory two-game suspension for the DUI charge could be avoided — if Bell gets the case resolved ASAP.