Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and early breakout candidate Martavis Bryant is reportedly facing a four-game suspension to start the 2015 NFL season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to various reports. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first with the news. Fox Sports reported the same shortly thereafter.
Bryant, a fourth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, showed ample promise last season. Despite posting just 26 receptions, he managed 549-yards, displaying big-time playmaking ability. The Steelers have not indicated yet whether Bryant or fellow wideout Markus Wheaton would start across from All Pro Antonio Brown on opening day, but it seems with the reports of Bryant's suspension that it's all-but-assured to be Wheaton.
Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley made it clear earlier this offseason that he expected the former Clemson standout to compete for the No. 2 spot across from Brown this year and early indications were that Bryant had made "big strides" and was looking very much like a "star" in the making.
While this kind of setback doesn't spell doom for Bryant's NFL or Steelers career, it's certainly not the beginning he, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin or Haley were hoping for.
