Martavis

Bryant

The 32-year-old randomly resurfaced to score a preseason touchdown, but it’s no surprise he couldn’t make the Commanders’ 53-man roster after over a half decade away from the league. It’s a good story, but the odds remain extremely long Bryant even lands practice squad work.

Bryant’s recent workout with the Commanders reportedly went well and the team decided to take a flier on the once-promising receiver. Bryant in his first two NFL seasons with the Steelers had a combined 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns as a dominant deep threat for Ben Roethlisberger. Bryant, 32, had stints in the CFL and XFL after being suspended from the NFL indefinitely in 2020. At best, he’ll earn a rotational role among the Washington receivers this season if he makes the final roster.

Bryant was last on the Cowboys’ practice squad for the 2023 season. The 32-year-old last played an NFL snap in 2018 for the Raiders, spending four seasons with the Steelers prior to that. He bounced around the XFL and fan-controlled football over the last few years and is now trying out for the Commanders to attempt a return to the NFL.

Byrant signed with the Cowboys’ practice squad during the 2023 season. He was released before the end of the season but landed a reserve/futures contract with Dallas less than two weeks later. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “Other teams are interested and expected to bring him in for a look.” Bryant hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2018 but may get a shot at making a 53-man roster this summer.

Running back Malik Davis was also signed to a reserve/futures contract. The Cowboys signed Bryant to their practice squad midway through the 2023 season but never called him up to the active roster. He was released in January just before the end of the regular season. With Michael Gallup likely being cut for cap reasons, Dallas may be in need of some extra depth at receiver next season. Bryant will look to make a good impression during the offseason program before battling for a roster spot in training camp.

Bryant signed with the Cowboys’ practice squad earlier this offseason after a stint in the XFL. The former fourth-round draft pick never received a call-up to the 53-man roster and has now been let go by the Cowboys to make room for other players. In addition to Bryant being released, the Cowboys also parted ways with WR Tyron Billy-Johnson, OL Adam Pankey, and DT Willington Previlon.

Bryant last played in the NFL in 2018 when he went 19-266-0 before being suspended. He most recently played in the XFL. This is not the first time the Cowboys have brought into a former NFL player after a long layoff, in 2020 they signed Aldon Smith after not having played football in four seasons. Bryant gets a fresh start and chance to provide some depth in the Cowboys receiving room.

Bryant was reinstated by the league last week and hasn’t played an NFL game since 2018. The 31-year-old receiver totaled 145 receptions for 2,183 yards and 17 receptions in four seasons, and averaged 15.1 YPR. He’s spent time in the CFL and XLF and could be worth a look for the Cowboys, who have an available spot on their practice squad to sign him to if they like what they see.

Bryant was suspended indefinitely from the NFL in 2020. He hasn’t played since 2018 but signed with the CFL in 2021 and played in the XFL last season. Bryant, who had 17 touchdowns in four seasons before getting suspended, could draw interest from teams as a practice squad flyer.

Bryant, 29, who is suspended from the NFL indefinitely after a series of drug policy violations, hasn’t played pro football since 2018, when he had 19 receptions for 266 yards in 12 games for the Raiders. He applied for reinstatement in 2019 but the NFL has not granted his request. A fourth-round selection by the Steelers in 2014, Bryant flashed as a dominant wideout with otherworldly after-the-catch ability in Pittsburgh. In 2015, he caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games.