Pittsburgh Steelers WR Martavis Bryant reinstated for practice, preseason games

The NFL cleared Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant to participate in preseason practices and preseason games, the Steelers announced Wednesday.

Bryant, who sat out the 2016 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, received limited conditional reinstatement from the NFL in April. That allowed him to participate in the team's offseason program and training camp conditioning, but he was not fully reinstated for the start of preseason camp. That reinstatement depended on Bryant making appropriate clinical arrangements in Pittsburgh for ongoing drug treatment.

Last week, Bryant suited up and planned to practice, but general manager Kevin Colbert stopped him before he took the field.

However, Wednesday's announcement allows the 25-year-old Bryant to practice with the team and play in preseason games. Whether he will be cleared to play in the regular season remains to be seen.

"Martavis Bryant has been informed by the NFL that he is now permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games," Colbert said in a statement. "He will continue to be evaluated as to his readiness to participate in regular-season activities under the terms of his conditional reinstatement."

In 2015, Bryant caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games, including five starts.