Sep 1, 2015 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the Steelers knew for some time that second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant was facing a suspension for violation of the NFL’s drug policy and it caused the team to alter draft plans.

The Steelers head coach expressed his disappointment with Bryant, and said the pending suspension was a reason a wide receiver was drafted early, despite the depth and talent at that position.

“We have known about the possibility of it for some time,” Tomlin said. “In a lot of ways, it directed our course of action throughout the offseason, specifically drafting Sammie Coates, because of the potential of this event. So we are going to deal with it the best we can.”

The Steelers selected Coates in the third round, a pick many considered a luxury because the top three receivers – All-Pro Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton and Bryant – were returning.

The move appears to make more sense now. Bryant caught 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns in just 10 games in 2014.

“Personally, yes I am,” said Brown, when asked if he was disappointed. “He has a lot of talent. We want him to be the guy we know he is capable of becoming.”

News of Bryant’s possible suspension broke last Thursday as the Steelers prepared for their fourth preseason game at Buffalo. Bryant filed an appeal and it was denied Monday, meaning he will miss the first four games of this season.

The suspension shows that Bryant has tested positive for marijuana at least twice in his short pro career.

“I embarrassed myself, my family, my team and this organization,” a contrite Bryant said Tuesday. “I’ve learned from my mistake and I just want to move forward.”

The drafting of Coates shows the Steelers are concerned about the possibility of Bryant staying clean. He says he has made assurances to the team that he is putting the issue in his past.

“By doing the right thing, learning from it and making sure it doesn’t happen again,” Bryant replied when asked how he can regain the trust of the team.

Bryant is permitted all “non-football” activities during his suspension but is not permitted to practice or play. He also will be fined four game checks amounting to $105,000.

Tomlin said the Steelers will continue to support Bryant throughout his suspension.

“We are in the process of working out that plan and what’s appropriate for him as an individual, not a player,” Tomlin said. “I think that’s an element we need to keep in perspective as we move forward with him. He’s got issues he is dealing with that are bigger than football and we are committed to assisting him.”

Bryant’s suspension will leave the Steelers without two of their most dynamic playmakers when they open the regular season Sept. 10 in New England. All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell also was suspended for the first two games because of a DUI and marijuana possession citation last August.

All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey will be out at least half the season after suffering a broken leg in a preseason game against Green Bay.

The Steelers signed veteran running back DeAngelo Williams in the offseason to back up Bell, and Cody Wallace will step in for Pouncey. Veteran wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, not Coates, will take Bryant’s spot.

“We have confidence in him,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of Heyward-Bey. “We’ve built that confidence and trust in each other. I think he will step up and we will be just fine.

“But it means the rest of us are going to have step up. And guys who are filling in are going to have to step up. It’s a team sport for a reason.”