Still two weeks from being eligible to return to action, suspended Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is working with ex-NBA coach and substance-abuse counselor John Lucas.
That news came via a Houston Chronicle report Tuesday. Lucas, who’s based in Houston, has worked with many NBA players but also other professional athletes and celebrities fighting various substance issues.
Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Bryant is not with the team, though he’s eligible to be after a change in NFL rules regarding players suspended for substance abuse. Tomlin did not want to say much else.
In August, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the team is worried both about Bryant’s long-term status with the team and ability to stay clean.
If Bryant fails another test, he’ll be suspended for 10 games. Assuming he’s healthy and clean, he can return to the Steelers in two weeks and play Oct. 12 at San Diego. Bryant was inactive for the first six games last year as a rookie before catching eight touchdown passes and averaging 21.2 yards per reception. His emergence helped the Steelers become the NFL’s most productive offense in 2014.