The hits keep coming for the Pittsburgh Steelers. First, the Steelers lost running back Le’Veon Bell to a two-game suspension for violating the substance abuse policy. Now, wide receiver Martavis Bryant is facing a four-game suspension for violating the same policy, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Although the suspension is under appeal, it’s unlikely based on history that Bryant won’t at least miss a couple of games. That’s a huge blow to an offense that was one of the best last year and to a team with lofty expectations.
Intelligence testing. https://t.co/Vj365PrWcl
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) July 2, 2015
To reiterate: only two ways you fail pot test in NFL. Player in drug program or player not all that bright.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) July 2, 2015
The Steelers will be without Bell and Bryant against the New England Patriots in Week 1 and the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 with the possibility that Bryant missed an additional two games. The defending Super Bowl Champions may or may not have quarterback Tom Brady, but won’t be easy to beat at home even if he doesn’t play. The 49ers will be a much more difficult foe than people think despite a tumultuous offseason, although the Steelers get to play them at home.
If Brady plays or the Steelers struggle offensively without two of their best playmakers, they could realistically be looking at an 0-2 start. In the AFC North, that could be a hole they spend the season trying to overcome. The worth-case scenario is now not only realistic, but maybe even probable.
Either way, not having Bell and Bryant puts tremendous pressure on the offensive line, wide receiver Antonio Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to carry the load offensively. The defense may also have to pick up some of the slack if the offense sputters, which could be asking a lot consider they allowed the second most yards per play last season and finished 25th in points allowed per drive.
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton will fill in for Bryant, who actually caught more passes and had more yards than Bryant last season. Of course, Bryant had eight touchdowns to Wheaton’s two and had only 95 fewer yards and less than half the number of catches. Wheaton is still a young receiver, but he has yet to demonstrate he can make big plays as Bryant did as a rookie in 2014.
Bell and Bryant’s actions have put the Steelers in a bind. If they can tread water for the first few weeks, they’ll still be a great shape. If Bryant’s suspension is upheld and the offense stumbles early, they can thank Bell and Bryant for failing what is basically an intelligence test.
