Martavis Bryant Cleared to Play Until Appeal is Heard

The NFL will allow Martavis Bryant to play for the Oakland Raiders until there is a decision on his suspension.

According to ESPN, Martavis Bryant faces the possibility of a yearlong suspension. It would be his third suspension in four years.

Martavis Bryant is confident that he will be successful in his appeal of the suspension. The Oakland Raiders must be, too, as they surprisingly re-signed him last week, just 10 days after letting him go.

His appeal is expected to be heard in the next couple of weeks. Bryant is facing a suspension for another violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

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The 26 year old wide reciever was suspended for the entire 2016 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

He has  retained New York attorney Peter Ginsberg to help him win his appeal. The Bryant camp are reportedly confident of winning the appeal, although appeals are notoriously difficult to win.

At the very least, Bryant could play for the Raiders for a few weeks. Oakland currently has him on a contract that pays him week to week until the issue is resolved.

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Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden spoke about Bryant following the decision to re-sign him, saying he can be a difference maker.

“I think he’s healthy. I think he’s ready to go. I’m sold on that,” Gruden said.

“We’ve been in contact with him since he’s been away. And as I said when we made the trade to get him, when he’s right, he can be a difference-maker. And we’re hoping he can be one sooner than later.

“Well, I think one of the reasons he was outperformed was he was inconsistently available.

“He was sick, he had lingering problems. But I think he’s in a really good place right now … and when he’s in a really good place, he can be a really good player in this league. He’s proven that.”