Roethlisberger: We'd like to have Bell, but 'we've got a lot of weapons'

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell remains away from the team with just four days remaining until its 2018 season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Related: Steelers GM disappointed with Le'Veon Bell's absence

While Bell's situation remains up in the air, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed optimism about the rest of his offense.

"We've got a lot of weapons. We'd like to have him (Bell) out there but we've got guys that can make plays for us," Roethlisberger said Wednesday morning, according to Joe Rutter of TribLIVE.com.

"One person doesn't make or break you, so I'd like to say that the linemen are more important than any skill position player, including myself, on this team. This offense is more than just one guy," he added.

Roethlisberger specifically praised second-year running back James Conner, who's currently listed behind Bell on the Steelers' official depth chart. Rookie Jaylen Samuels and veteran Stevan Ridley hold the other two spots at running back.

The Steelers applied the franchise tag - valued at $14.54 million for the 2018 season - to Bell in March.

If Bell doesn't report to the team and sign his franchise tag by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, then $852,941 will be rolled back into the Steelers' salary cap every week until he does, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.

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