When Michael Vick stepped onto the field to make his Steelers debut in an otherwise forgettable preseason contest in Buffalo a little more than a month ago, Vick wasted little time proving he still could make a splash as an NFL quarterback.
On his very first play, Vick would drop back and throw a perfect strike down the right sideline for a 63-yard gain that would highlight a promising debut where the veteran southpaw would go 4-for-5 for 116 yards.
The recipient of that throw was second-year receiver Martavis Bryant, who was busy making his own case to be the starting option at wide receiver opposite Antonio Brown. After a 26-catch season where 10 of those catches went for touchdowns, there was reason to believe Bryant could supplant Markus Wheaton as a full-time starter.
Bryant was spectacular throughout camp, proving that he looked ready to break out in a big way in his sophomore campaign.
Then came the news that Bryant had violated the league’s substance abuse policy and would be facing a four-game suspension as a repeat offender. Although the team was aware of Bryant’s impending suspension as far back as the spring, the Steelers now were forced to move on without Bryant to start the first quarter of the season.
With a franchise quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger, one could argue that the Steelers could get by without Bryant, but when Roethlisberger was lost for at least four weeks with a knee injury, confidence waned.
Considering Vick was only able to amass 123 yards passing in a crippling overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens and Wheaton’s status for next Monday’s contest against the San Diego Chargers very much up in the air due to an ankle injury, getting Bryant back could not have come at a more opportune time.
Bryant will have to prove he’s reliable on and off the field after spending time in drug rehabilitation in recent weeks. The Steelers were mum on Bryant’s status throughout, but it seems very likely that Bryant will be a big part of the Steelers’ plans heading into the Chargers game. With extra time to prepare, Bryant should be ready to go and could make immediate impact for a Steelers’ offense desperate for help in the passing game.
The extra preparation time should also help Vick, who’s paltry numbers against the Ravens can be excused to an extent considering he had one full practice to make his first start in nearly a year.
If Bryant can hit the ground running and contribute immediately, it should be a huge boost to Vick and a Steeler’ passing offense desperate for help.
