Steelers WR Bryant suspended 4 games for drug policy violation

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Already faced with playing without running back Le’Veon Bell for the first two games of the regular season, the Steelers were dealt another big setback when wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has confirmed.

Bryant, a fourth-round draft choice in 2014, caught eight touchdowns and averaged 21.1 yards per catch in 10 games last season. He practiced with the team Thursday, which, like Bell, he is allowed to do during the preseason leading up to the start of the regular season Sept. 10 in New England.

He was not, however, available in the locker room after practice, and several of his teammates said they were unaware of the situation.

Bell will miss the first two games — his suspension was reduced from three games on appeal — for being charged with marijuana possession and driving under the influence. The Steelers also will be without All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, who had surgery for a broken fibula — meaning they will face the defending Super Bowl champions without three of their top offensive players.

Of course, the Patriots will be without quarterback Tom Brady, who is serving a four-game suspension for his role in Deflategate, and running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended one game for marijuana possession stemming from his incident last August while riding in the same car with Bell.

Rookies trying to find niche

The No. 16 jersey and what it ultimately signifies for Tyler Murphy fits just fine and all. It’s just not the one he prefers to wear.

Given a choice, the rookie Steeler would rather rock a lower number, maybe one with single digits. You know, the kind the guys who line up behind center wear.

“I still consider myself a quarterback,” Murphy said. “I feel like I can still execute there at a high level.”

And while that might one day be true, Murphy also understands if he wants to have any shot of sticking around with the Steelers in any capacity he needs to put his ego aside and a pair of wide receiver gloves on.

“I’m a slash kind of guy I guess,” Murphy said.

Or just another first-year player trying to land a job. Making it in the NFL is hard enough. Murphy is trying to do it while simultaneously learning a new position and trying to hold on to an old one.

“There’s no easy route I guess,” he said.

Particularly not for tweeners like Murphy — who has never played receiver in his life — or sixth-round pick Anthony Chickillo, who is transitioning from defensive tackle to outside linebacker in hopes of becoming the third generation of Chickillos to make an NFL roster.

Murphy appears to be making inroads. The former Florida and Boston College quarterback hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Landry Jones in the fourth quarter of a comeback 24-19 preseason victory over Green Bay on Sunday, the first time Murphy can remember reaching the end zone on a play that didn’t begin with him handling the snap.

It was equal parts thrilling and weird.

“It’s always good to get on the field and help yourself out,” Murphy said.