PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is facing a one-year suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy for the second time.
Bryant’s agent, Thomas Santanello, confirmed the potential discipline in email to The Associated Press on Saturday night and said Bryant has filed an appeal. The suspension was first reported by DKPittsburghsports.com.
The 24-year-old Bryant was suspended for the first four games last season and spent a portion of that time in Houston with John Lucas, the former NBA player and coach who operates a substance abuse facility. He came back saying he was humbled by the experience.
Bryant caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns and was dynamic in the playoffs. He made an acrobatic scoring grab in a wild-card win over Cincinnati and hauled in nine passes for 154 yards in a loss to Denver in the divisional round, serving as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s top target with All-Pro Antonio Brown out with a concussion.
The Steelers had no comment on Bryant’s situation. The NFL typically does not announce any punishment for substance abuse violations until the appeals process is complete.