Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers WR Martavis Bryant conditionally reinstated after year-long suspension

Published Apr. 25, 2017 4:18 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant was forced to sit out the entire 2016 season due to a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but he’ll be back in the mix this season.

The team announced on Tuesday that Bryant has been informed of his conditional reinstatement after following the necessary protocol to reach that point.

Via Steelers GM Kevin Colbert:

"We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement.

"We look forward to working with Martavis to ensure that he is mentally and physically prepared to contribute to our efforts on the field, while also maintaining the proper balance to keep his life in order off the field."

Before the season begins, the NFL will review Bryant’s progress. If he’s complied and taken the necessary steps to clean up his personal life, he’ll be eligible to participate in Week 1. He’ll also be reevaluated later in the season for full reinstatement.

This is a huge boost for the Steelers’ offense. The big-play threat will join the likes of Antonio Brown, Eli Rodgers and Sammie Coates in Pittsburgh’s wide receiving unit, which is now one of the best in the league.

The last time Bryant was active, he was highly effective. He caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games two seasons ago, proving to be a dangerous deep weapon for Ben Roethlisberger.