Needless to say it hasn’t been a great start to training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have seen a few starters go down with injuries.
Now they look like they will be without one of their top playmakers to begin the season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant is facing 4-game suspension for violating Substance Abuse Policy, per league sources. Suspension under appeal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2015
The team will already be without running back Le’Veon Bell for the first two games of the season as he is serving his own suspension.
Bryant emerged as a budding star a season ago. After being inactive the first seven games of the year as a rookie, Bryant broke on the scene in a big way last year to close the year. While only catching 26 passes on the season, eight of those went for touchdowns. Bryant also had a whopping 21.1 yards per catch average.
Bigger things are expected this season as the Clemson product is having a great start to camp.
Bryant is expected to appeal the suspension.
In his place, third-year pro Markus Wheaton will be expected to pick up the slack.
Head coach Mike Tomlin had some positive things to say about Wheaton on Thursday.
“Markus Wheaton is a more highly conditioned athlete than he was a year ago,” said Tomlin. “The same thing could be said about Martavis.
As of writing, there has been no statements given on the suspension.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
