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Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been waiting a long time to hear whether suspended wide receiver Martavis Bryant will be back on the team in 2017, or if the NFL league office will deny his reinstatement to the league, a la Josh Gordon.
While the NFL could have made a ruling this week, they seem to be taking their time before announcing Bryant’s successful, or failed, reinstatement.
There is no update on Martavis Bryant, per NFL source. Could happen soon. Also could happen two weeks from now.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) March 29, 2017
Bryant’s potential return could completely alter the team’s plan for the 2017 NFL Draft, as well as improve their depth chart at the wide receiver position.
In 2016, the team struggled without a genuine No. 2 receiver opposite Antonio Brown, despite Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates and Cobi Hamilton doing their best to fill the gigantic shoes of Bryant.
While Bryant, and the Steelers, await the decision of the NFL, the team very well could target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft, but with the aforementioned players still on the roster with Bryant, the depth chart is completely altered, and suddenly the receiver position isn’t as big a need as once thought.
However, if the NFL deems Bryant hasn’t done enough to be reinstated, the Steelers will likely be looking at the receiver position, possibly early, in the upcoming draft.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news on the black and gold and the Martavis Bryant reinstatement decision.