Steelers

Steelers WR Martavis Bryant Conditionally Reinstated

April 25, 2017

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that WR Martavis Bryant has been conditionally reinstated by the NFL.

According to the release, Bryant can join the Steelers at their training facility and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities.

After arrangements have been made in regards to Bryant’s clinical resources in Pittsburgh, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.

Here’s a statement from the Steelers GM Kevin Colbert regarding Bryant’s reinstatement:

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.

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.

Bryant was suspended for the entire 2016 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. This came after he served a four-game ban in 2015 season for a separate substance-abuse violation.

Pittsburgh placed him on the reserve/suspended by Commissioner list after he accepted his one-year suspension from the NFL.

Bryant admitted in an interview earlier this year that he considered quitting football (via Sports Illustrated) but he has since changed his mind and has been working out with the intention of returning to the NFL.

Bryant, 25, was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $2.7 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $690,000 for the 2017 season.

In 2015, Bryant appeared in 11 games for the Steelers and totaled 50 receptions, 765 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 61 receiver out of 121 qualifying players.