Aug 29, 2015 4 min read

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The news that second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant is facing a 4-game suspension for violation of the NFL drug policy was not only surprising to teammates, it also came as a surprise to Bryant.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since word leaked he was facing suspension, Bryant expressed some shock regarding his situation.

“I have no clue,” Bryant said of his status. “Right now, I haven’t heard anything back. At the appropriate time, I’ll comment on it.”

The problem for Bryant and the Steelers is the fact the NFL hasn’t officially announced he violated the league’s drug policy for what also was reported as being marijuana use.

Until that happens and his ensuing appeal is heard, the Steelers must move forward as if they will have Bryant when they open the regular season Sept. 10 at New England.

They did that Saturday in a 43-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills, as Bryant was a big part of the little offense the Steelers generated in a lackluster performance.

Bryant caught three passes for a 138 yards and a touchdown and also drew a pass interference penalty to set up another score.

It was more of the same from Bryant, who caught 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns in just 10 games as a rookie in 2014.

And it showed exactly what the Steelers might be missing for the opening month of the season if he is, indeed, suspended.

“It doesn’t make us frustrated,” said running back Le’Veon Bell, who also is suspended for the first two games of the regular season because of his own bad choices involving marijuana. “Obviously, we have to take the good with the bad. He understands what’s going on. I understand what’s going on. We just have to move forward from it. We’ve got guys that can come in and take his place.”

That might be the case, but for right now, it appears the Steelers offense, once looked at as a unit that will have to carry the defense, might not be anywhere near full strength to open the season.

Not only are Bell and Bryant facing suspensions, All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey was lost for at least half the season because of a broken leg suffered last week in against Green Bay.

Considering how poor the defense has looked in the preseason – something that isn’t overly surprising – not having the offense at peak performance could be fatal to this team’s playoff hopes.

Bryant, like Bell did a year ago, spoke to his teammates regarding his situation. He apologized for putting himself, and presumably, the team’s aspirations, in jeopardy.

“Obviously, he’s going through a tough time, the same thing I had to go through last year,” said Bell, who added he spoke with Bryant regarding the situation. “It’s something he’s going to have to overcome, just like I have to overcome it.”

Bryant will continue working until the league tells him he can’t.

“I’m just trying to develop my overall game, whether it’s running (after the catch), catching deep balls, catching it over the middle, catching slants and taking them 30 yards,” Bryant said. “It’s just doing whatever I need to do to help the team.”

Thing is, if he is suspended, it most certainly does not help the team. And it shows questionable judgement on the part of Bryant.

Because he is being suspended, this means this latest failed drug test would be his second. That means he has made a poor choice with his career at least twice. A third misstep would result in a mandatory 10-game suspension.

And history has shown when teams can’t trust players to do what is necessary to stay on the field, they move on from those players, no matter how talented.

“That’s the way it goes,” said Bell. “Football’s going to continue to go regardless if you can or not, the game of football’s going to continue to go.”

Bell learned that lesson the hard way last season. Bryant apparently didn’t, even though he was there to see Bell’s mistake.

Here’s hoping if he is suspended that he learns his lesson from it. The team will suffer in the short term, but he’s too talented to just see his career go up in smoke.

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.