ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders signed receiver Martavis Bryant, who final performed within the NFL six years in the past and launched into an extended journey by way of soccer’s minor leagues to return.
The 6-foot-4 Bryant, who was suspended indefinitely for drug use in 2018 and was reinstated in November 2023, gives the Commanders one facet they lack of their receiving corps: dimension.
Washington has one different receiver taller than 6-2 in camp: Brycen Tremayne, a 6-4 wideout who’s combating for one of many final spots on the place.
Washington launched kicker Ramiz Ahmed to make room for Bryant. Coach Dan Quinn was with Bryant in Dallas final 12 months when Bryant was on the Cowboys’ follow squad from Nov. 6 till Jan. 4, when he was launched.
“He is in actually good condition and he is actually hungry to show it,” Quinn mentioned. “He is been prepared for some time, so it is good to have him right here.”
Bryant caught 126 passes, 17 for touchdowns, throughout three seasons with Pittsburgh from 2014 to ’18; he didn’t play in 2016 after being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse coverage.
After returning to the Steelers in 2017, Bryant signed with the Raiders the next season and was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in December 2018. He was later signed by two Canadian Soccer League groups, although he by no means performed in a sport. He additionally hung out within the Indoor Soccer League, the Fan Managed Soccer league in addition to the XFL.
Bryant mentioned he did not know if he’d get one other likelihood within the NFL, saying he simply wanted to be ready — bodily and mentally.
“Bought to be strong-minded,” Bryant mentioned. “I have been by way of loads. I do not hand over on myself; I’ve at all times been a fighter.”
Dallas signed him final season to the follow squad after he was reinstated. Quinn was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
“Martavis has a extremely cool talent set. He is obtained dimension and size and the power to make use of him within the crimson zone,” Quinn mentioned. “He appears to be like like a linebacker enjoying wideout from a dimension standpoint.”
Quinn mentioned Bryant’s dimension was a consider Washington’s resolution to signal him. He additionally mentioned teaching in opposition to him in follow helped make the choice. Washington additionally labored out Bryant within the spring after Dallas launched him.
“Seeing the talents, seeing how we compete in opposition to him, oftentimes in follow we put him right into a sure spot to simulate the scale of a receiver, the velocity of a receiver,” Quinn mentioned. “He is obtained an actual dimension, just like the catch radius, throw it over right here, he has obtained size to throw it away from any person … understanding, hey, that is incomplete, or my man’s getting it.”
Bryant mentioned he now weighs 208 kilos, having misplaced 22 kilos after final season. He nonetheless has an uphill battle to make the ultimate roster, although Washington just isn’t deep on the place. The Commanders do have Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown and rookie Luke McCaffrey along with Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder. The latter two are also competing for the punt returner’s job. It is doable one spot will likely be accessible for Bryant and a handful of others.
“I am grateful to be right here and tremendous excited. I’ve nonetheless obtained extra work to place in. I’ve to look good,” Bryant mentioned.
However his receiver traits have been noticeable to his new teammates.
“Once you see him out right here operating round and he is huge, robust and quick, he appears to be like like he is in nice form,” McLaurin mentioned. “You have to be prepared on your second and alternative and I really feel like that is the rationale why he is right here.”