Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) plays against a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver during the third quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 2017. Martavis Bryant (10) interfered with a pass in the end zone while playing defense. Veteran wide receiver Martavis Bryant signed with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, moving one step closer to playing in his first NFL game in six years.
In 2018, the 32-year-old Bryant was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for multiple drug violations. The league did not restore his eligibility until November last year.
He spent time on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad late last season and was fired on January 4.
“He’s in really good shape and he’s really eager to prove it,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said, according to ESPN. “He’s been ready for a while, so it’s good to have him here.”
With hopes of returning to the NFL, Bryant played for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers in 2023, catching 14 passes for 154 yards and no touchdowns in eight games.
Bryant caught 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns in 44 games (18 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014-15, 2017) and Oakland Raiders (2018). In 2014, he was selected in the fourth round by the University of Pittsburgh.
Bryant was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He was reportedly suspended throughout the 2016 campaign for repeatedly missing drug tests.
At 6-foot-4, Bryant adds much-needed size to the Commander’s receiving corps.
“Matavis has really cool skills. He has height and length and the ability to use him in the red zone,” said Quinn, who was the defensive coordinator when the Cowboys signed Bryant to the practice squad last year. “From a size standpoint, he looks like a linebacker playing outside.”
–Scene-level media
