The Steelers have been afforded a peek at the future by what happened in the past. And the view is probably not to their liking.

They already saw what can happen when they have to play without running back Le’Veon Bell, the AFC’s top rusher and scrimmage-yards leader in 2014.

And the prospect of having to play the first two games of the 2015 season the way the previous one ended — without their multi-purpose back — is not a pleasant thought. Especially if the season opener is against the defending Super Bowl champion.

But 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 running back DeAngelo Williams, the only outside veteran they have signed so far in free agency.

via Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette