The Pittsburgh Steelers’ troubled wide receiver Martavis Bryant is facing a year-long suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, according to multiple reports.
DKPittsburghSports.com was first to report the potential suspension on Saturday morning, while Bryant’s agent Tom Santanello reportedly confirmed the suspension to ESPN.
Bryant served a four-game suspension last season for using marijuana. He returned to finish the season strongly, hauling in 50 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games as the Steelers reached the divisional round playoffs before losing to Denver.
“Unless and until there is something official from the league we won’t be commenting,” said Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten on Saturday.
There was no word on when the failed tests occured.
After his suspension last season, Bryant, 24, underwent three weeks of counseling in Houston, rejoined the Steelers in midseason, apologized to his teammates in the locker room in what by all accounts was an emotional session and returned to action.
Bryant thanked the Steelers for their support and said he “learned” from his mistake and wanted to “move on from it and put it in the past.” Bryant also said he had spent time with former NBA player and coach John Lucas, who operates a substance abuse recovery facility in Texas.
Bryant could appeal this suspension, but the league policy calls for a full season as the next level for a second suspension.
If Bryant misses the full season, it would be a huge blow to one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Steelers are gunning for a record ninth Super Bowl appearance.
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