NFL reinstates Steelers’ Bryant

PITTSBURGH – The NFL informed the Steelers Friday that wide receiver Martavis Bryant is fully cleared to rejoin the team for the 2017 season.
The decision came less than 24 hours before NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players, the maximum allowed during the regular season.
Bryant, 25, was suspended for the entire 2016 season after multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. He was permitted to return to the Steelers earlier this year and participate in offseason workouts.
The NFL did not permit him to work with the Steelers in the first two weeks of training camp at Saint Vincent College while it reviewed his case.
He was finally given clearance to participate the day before the Steelers’ preseason opener Aug. 11 against the New York Giants.
Bryant, a fourth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2014, has 76 career receptions for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns in 21 games. He also has one rushing touchdown.
Bryant has had to submit to drug testing as often as three times per week. One failed test will put him in jeopardy of another suspension.
“I’m happy with his approach to the work,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week. “He’s been very good and communicative about knocking the rust off in this process and it makes the process easier because there’s a sincere acknowledgement that there is a process.”
Bryant is expected to be in the starting lineup when the Steelers open the season Sept. 10 at Cleveland.