Steelers offense takes another hit as Martavis Bryant suspended
The NFL likes its first regular-season game on the Thursday of Week 1 to be a showcase event. The way things are going, it’ll look more like a continuation of the preseason with backups playing prominent roles for each team.
Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant, expected to be the team’s No. 2 option in one of the league’s best passing attacks, is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy according to multiple reports. He is appealing the suspension, according to reports including ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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If Bryant is out for the Week 1 opener at the New England Patriots, that means the Steelers will be without their projected No. 2 receiver, All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell, who is suspended two games, and center Maurkice Pouncey, who will miss a large portion of the season after ankle surgery. The Patriots are also missing some key pieces for Week 1, including suspended quarterback Tom Brady (unless his court battle leads to his four-game suspension being vacated) and running back LeGarrette Blount, who is suspended for one game.
The NFL will love that so much time on the opening-night broadcast will spent explaining to viewers which players on each side are suspended and why.
Bryant’s absence is a big setback for the Steelers, because without Bell they likely were going to lean more heavily than usual on the passing game. As a rookie last year, the 6-4, 211-pound Bryant had 26 catches for 549 yards and was expected to take a big jump in his second season. Third-year receiver Markus Wheaton likely becomes the No. 2 target opposite Antonio Brown, and rookie Sammie Coates will fill a bigger role while Bryant is out.
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The Patriots-Steelers opener will be interesting, perhaps just to see which players from both sides will actually be eligible to participate.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
