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John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterAug 27, 2024, 12:39 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
Martavis Bryant finished the preseason with a strong fourth quarter — but it wasn’t enough to force his way onto the Washington Commanders‘ roster.
Washington released Bryant on Tuesday. It’s possible Washington tries to sign Bryant on its practice squad if he clears waivers.
Martavis Bryant, who hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since 2018, was released by the Commanders, but the practice squad could still be a possibility for him. Peter Casey/USA TODAY Sports
Bryant has not played in a game since 2018, when he was suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He spent two months on Dallas’ practice squad last season after being reinstated by the league on Nov. 4, when Dan Quinn was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
After Washington signed Bryant on Aug. 13, Quinn recalled how much Bryant helped prepare the Dallas defense for facing a big receiver with speed.
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The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Bryant, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds before the 2014 draft and had retained that speed, caught three passes for 20 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 20-10 preseason finale vs. New England. He also drew two pass interference penalties totaling another 64 yards.
Bryant was suspended for the 2016 season and then was indefinitely suspended in December 2018 while a member of the Oakland Raiders. Before that indefinite suspension, Bryant had caught a combined 145 passes for 2,138 yards and 17 touchdowns. In four career postseason games — all with his original team, the Pittsburgh Steelers — Bryant caught a combined 21 passes for 322 yards and three scores.
Bryant was signed by Toronto and Edmonton in the CFL but never appeared in a game. He also spent time in multiple minor leagues, including in 2023 with Vegas in the XFL.
