Steelers' Martavis Bryant facing a year-long suspension for drug violation

Martavis Bryant, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, may be facing a year-long suspension from the NFL.

According to DKPittsburghSports.com, which first reported the news, Bryant could be suspended for the entire 2016 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy again. Bryant learned of the possible suspension this week. Under the NFL’s substance abuse policy, a second violation results in a year-long suspension. This isn’t the first time that he has violated the substance abuse policy. He was suspended for the first four games last year due to violating the substance abuse policy. Bryant and his agent Tom Santanello have filed an appeal for the possible suspension.

"Until there's something official from the NFL, we won't be commenting," Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said.

Bryant was drafted by the Steelers in 2014. Last year, for 11 games, he had six touchdowns and 50 catches for 765 yards, according to the Associated Press. In two playoff games he had 14 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown. Bryant has 76 catches for 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL.

The Steelers have given receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey a three-year contract extension. That move was due to the fact that they might be without Bryant for the 2016 season. They also signed tight end Ladarius Green to a four-year, $20 million deal.