Pittsburgh Steelers

Martavis Bryant practices with Steelers for first time in year

LATROBE, Pa. — Martavis Bryant returned to practice with the Steelers on Sunday afternoon for the first time in more than a year. The wide receiver was cleared by the NFL to practice and play in preseason games over the weekend.

“It felt great. I got a little rust on me so I just gotta get in shape and come every day to get better…just like football shape. I'm in great shape outside of football but you know it's different when you got people pulling on you, so I just gotta come out here and run harder and I'll be fine,” said Bryant.

“He’s excited to be out here, but that’s what you want to see,” linebacker Arthur Moats said. “If he brings that kind of energy every day it’s only going to make him and us better.”

Bryant enters the mix in a very crowded wide receiver pool for the Steelers; however, his unique skill set gives him a huge advantage to making the roster.

“Just happy the process went through and I’m happy to be back out with my brothers playing football,” Bryant said after the Steelers preseason win over the Giants Friday night. “It felt good to be in a stadium, period.”

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And it’s another wrinkle to an already stacked Steelers offense.

“I know the coaches are anxious, we’re anxious as quarterbacks to throw to him,” rookie Josh Dobbs said. “We’re excited, he’s a great welcome, his big play potential has been shown so for me, I’m excited to get out there with him.”

Bryant has to meet with the NFL one more time this preseason before he is fully reinstated and able to play in regular season games.

Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster was back at practice Sunday afternoon at St. Vincent College. The rookie wide receiver left Friday’s game against the Giants after being evaluated for a concussion. Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva was also at practice after having missed the last week with a concussion as well.

Ryan Shazier, Senquez Golson, Mike Mitchell and Sammie Coates were not taking part in practice Sunday.