The NFL issued a statement Friday saying Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant has been cleared for regular-season practices and games. A full reinstatement, however, won't happen until later in the regular season.
The NFL issued the following statement: "Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been cleared for regular-season practices and games, the NFL announced today."
This announcement came on the heels of Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert's assessment Thursday that Bryant would get reinstated.
"We're still waiting for the official word from the league," Colbert said. "We'll go under the assumption he'll be fully reinstated. To this point, he hasn't done anything to make us think otherwise."
What Colbert probably meant to say was Bryant, who served a one-year drug suspension in 2016, will be cleared to play during the regular season. According to the statement the league issued this spring, when Bryant was granted conditional reinstatement, he can be cleared to play without being fully reinstated.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the NFL will review Bryant's progress. "Based on his compliance and engagement with his program and resources, he will be permitted to participate in all regular-season activities beginning in Week 1. He will be evaluated later in the season for full reinstatement."
For some reason, the league will wait until some point during the regular season before Bryant is fully reinstated. Whatever the case, Bryant will be practice with his teammates Monday when the Steelers return to work and prepare for his first regular-season NFL game since the 2015 season.
