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RBs Bell, Blount anchor Steelers

NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount anchored the Pittsburgh Steelers' running game in a 31-21 loss to the the Philadelphia Eagles after both were said to face charges of possession of marijuana following a traffic stop Wednesday.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin met with the players Thursday morning as he decided how to proceed, and a source told ESPN it was "business as usual'' for Bell and Blount because the Steelers have a lot to work on offensively.

Blount ran for 32 rushing yards on seven carries while Bell had 23 yards on nine carries in the Steelers' third preseason game.

Ross Township detective Brian Kohlhepp said traffic officer Sean Stafiej pulled over a Camaro operated by Bell around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after Stafiej, who was on a motorcycle, noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Stafiej found a 20-gram bag of marijuana inside the car. Bell, Blount and a female passenger all claimed ownership of the marijuana, according to police.

Bell, 22, was taken to a hospital to have blood drawn and is expected to be charged with driving under the influence of marijuana.

Bell, Blount and the female passenger are expected to receive notice of formal charges through the mail, said Kohlhepp. The possession and DUI charges are both misdemeanors.

The NFL is expected to review the incident, which happened less than two hours before the Steelers flew to Philadelphia for the game.

Bell didn't fly with the Steelers to Philadelphia, according to multiple reports, but later made his own way to the city to rejoin the team, a league source told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. Blount was with the team, according to ESPN's Ed Werder and multiple reports.

Rookie Dri Archer, who didn't have any carries Thursday night, is No. 3 on the Steelers' depth chart at running back but he has also split his time at wide receiver.

None of the other running backs on the Steelers' roster has played a game in the NFL.

ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder, ESPN.com's Scott Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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