The Facts: The Steelers already are formulating a plan of how to proceed without Bell, who is expected to be suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy related to a marijuana charge. And part of the plan is Williams, the only outside veteran they have signed so far in free agency. “We will wait to hear what happens from a league level in regards to that,” HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, referring to Bell’s expected suspension. “But, obviously, we will be prepared to move on without him for whatever time is necessary. The acquisition of Williams helps us in that regard.”

Diehards Line: Bell’s penalty has not been announced, and the Steelers have no idea when that will occur (it could even be four games). Usually, the NFL issues punishment from violations that occur the previous season at the start of the following season. “We needed to fortify depth at the running back position,” Tomlin said. “[Williams] definitely fits the bill.” Williams, who will be 32 next month, rushed for 6,846 yards and 46 touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in his career with the Panthers. His best season was 2008, when he started 16 games for the only time in his career and rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. But Tomlin also likes that Williams spent most of his career in Carolina splitting the workload with another running back, Jonathan Stewart. That selflessness, Tomlin said, should help him accept his role as a backup to Bell -- something that was made very clear to Williams. That said, the newcomer will be asked to be the feature back for the first two games, when Bell is expected to be suspended.