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There is no doubting the talent Martavis Bryant possesses. Just watch some of his highlight reel catches and you can tell what he can do to enhance the Steelers’ starting offense. However, coming off a one-game punishment vs. the Lions in Week 8, for his off-field comments about his lack of targets, nothing is certain with Bryant and how the team handles his situation.
With that said, the Steelers had Bryant back with the starting offense on Monday, as the team prepares to play the Colts this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 10.
WR Martavis Bryant was back working with first team and said he anticipates playing Sunday vs. Colts
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) November 6, 2017
With Bryant back in the lineup, and barring an injury, he is set to see significant snaps within the offense, and they could use him.
While no one truly agrees with how he has gone about voicing his displeasure with how the Steelers are utilizing him, you would be foolish to think he doesn’t make a difference on the field — even when the team doesn’t throw him the ball.
Plain and simple, when Bryant is on the field, the defense can’t simply throw a safety on Antonio Brown’s side of the field, and put the other safety in the box to slow down Le’Veon Bell. Instead, when Bryant is in the lineup, the defense has to respect both Brown and Bryant, which can certainly make for favorable matchups in the running game.
With Bryant in the lineup, the defense has to carefully select how you cover all of the team’s weapons. Without him, it becomes easier on the opposition. Bryant’s return should be a welcome sight for fans, and hopefully he and Ben Roethlisberger can connect on some deep passes to make the Pittsburgh offense the dynamic force everyone expected heading into the regular season.