NFL gives OK for Bryant to practice
LATROBE – The NFL finally gave Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant the OK to practice and play in preseason games, two weeks after the team reported to training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Now, the only question remaining is whether or not Bryant, who served a year-long suspension for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, will get approval to play in the regular season.
“Martavis Bryant has been informed by the NFL that he is now permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. “He will continue to be evaluated as to his readiness to participate in regular-season activities under the terms of his conditional reinstatement.”
The NFL conditionally reinstated Bryant just prior to the draft earlier this year and he was permitted to participate in all offseason team activities, including minicamp.
Surprisingly, however, when the Steelers arrived to training camp July 27, they were informed Bryant was not permitted to practice with the team until the league felt he had met all of its conditions for reinstatement.
Bryant, who is under contract for two more seasons with Pittsburgh, must now await word whether he gets final approval to play when the regular season begins Sept. 10 at Cleveland.
The Steelers open their preseason schedule Friday against the New York Giants and held their final practice in preparation for that game Wednesday. Bryant will not play against New York.
In 21 career regular season games, Bryant has caught 76 passes for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has also been suspended twice for violation of the league’s drug policy.
“We are excited for him to get out there,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said last week. “Hopefully the league will let him go, let him be out here with his teammates where he needs to be and should be.”