After missing the 2016 NFL season due to violating the league’s substance abuse policy, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant has been reinstated.
“Martavis Bryant has followed the protocol and has been conditionally reinstated by the National Football League. We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement,” the Steelers said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Martavis to ensure that he is mentally and physically prepared to contribute to our efforts on the field, while also maintaining the proper balance to keep his life in order off the field.”
This is certainly positive news for the Pittsburgh organization. While his return was never really in doubt, it was reported at the end of March that his reinstatement had no set timeline. If nothing else, the official word should help ease the Steelers’ minds as they head into the draft.
The 2016 suspension was not Bryant’s first issue in the NFL. Bryant was also suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season. In that year, he returned to play in 11 games in 2015, catching 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns. He was a fourth round pick out of Clemson in the 2014 NFL Draft.