The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to be without wide receiver Martavis Bryant this upcoming year, as he has been suspended for at least one season for failing a drug test. His suspension is without pay and will begin immediately.
The decision was announced on Monday, the second violation of the league's substance-abuse policy in as many years for the Steeler. He was scheduled to make $600,000 in 2016. The team expressed their disappointment in their player's decisions, saying that he needs to make "significant changes" in his personal life.
Bryant decided not to appeal, despite his agent saying over the weekend that if the suspension was made official, he would fight it. A similar ruling was placed on Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who appealed, but the call was upheld by a neutral arbitrator. Gordon has since applied for reinstatement.
The Steelers' wideout served a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy last season. He is reportedly battling depression and will attend rehab this Sunday for an evaluation.
After returning from suspension, Bryant caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. The team thought ahead in preparation for this loss, signing Darrius Heyward-Bay to a three-year contract extension.
The decision was announced on Monday, the second violation of the league's substance-abuse policy in as many years for the Steeler. He was scheduled to make $600,000 in 2016. The team expressed their disappointment in their player's decisions, saying that he needs to make "significant changes" in his personal life.
Bryant decided not to appeal, despite his agent saying over the weekend that if the suspension was made official, he would fight it. A similar ruling was placed on Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, who appealed, but the call was upheld by a neutral arbitrator. Gordon has since applied for reinstatement.
The Steelers' wideout served a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy last season. He is reportedly battling depression and will attend rehab this Sunday for an evaluation.
After returning from suspension, Bryant caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. The team thought ahead in preparation for this loss, signing Darrius Heyward-Bay to a three-year contract extension.
