Steelers WR Martavis Bryant Loses Appeal, 4-Game Suspension Upheld

Update:

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that second-year WR Martavis Bryant lost his appeal and his four-game suspension for for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy will be upheld.

Bryant will now be eligible to return to the Steelers for October 12 game against the Chargers.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said of Bryant’s suspension:

“We are disappointed in Martavis’ actions that has led to his four-game suspension. It is a disappointment to our entire organization as well as our fans, but we will continue to support Martavis during his suspension. It is very unfortunate his actions have put our team in this situation to begin the year, but we are confident he will learn from his mistake and return in excellent shape in Week 5.“

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Steelers WR Martavis Bryant‘s four-game suspension stems from “multiple” failed marijuana tests.

• Rapoport adds that Bryant’s appeal is in the “latter stages,” which implies that a ruling could be coming soon.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Steelers second-year WR Martavis Bryant is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.

• Bryant is currently appealing the suspension, so there’s still a chance he could get a reduced sentence.

Bryant is expected to take a big step in the Steelers’ offense this season, so this is clearly disappointing news. Markus Wheaton is likely to open the year as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite to Antonio Brown.

Bryant, 23, is entering the second-year of his four-year, $2,723,198 rookie contract that included a $439,000 signing bonus. He stands to make base salaries of $510,000 (2015), $600,000 (2016), and $690,000 (2017) over the remainder of the contract.

In 2014, Bryant appeared in 10 games and caught 26 passes for 549 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for the Steelers. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 30 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.