The Dallas Cowboys are not a franchise afraid to give second and third chances to players who have run into disciplinary issues during their careers. Normally, they are low-risk, high-reward kind of moves for the franchise. That is certainly how you could categorize the latest move the team has made.
According to Todd Archer of ESPN, the Cowboys are going to be signing wide receiver Martavis Bryant to a contract. Bryant has not played in the NFL since 2018 because of multiple suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy but could make his return sooner rather than later.
A fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Clemson, Bryant was recently reinstated by the league following his numerous suspensions. He has remained active on the football circuit during his time away from the NFL.
Most recently, Bryant played for the Vegas Vipers in the XFL earlier this year. He has spent time in the CFL and Indoor Football League since his last appearance in the NFL five years ago. The Cowboys can afford to be patient with Bryant, as he re-acclimates himself to the league, given the depth the team currently has at wide receiver.
CeeDee Lamb is the team’s No. 1 target, with veterans Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup behind him. Second-year player Jaylen Tolbert and rookie Jalen Brooks round out the depth chart on the 53-man active roster. Jalen Moreno-Cropper and Tyron Johnson are also on the practice squad.
Bryant spent the first four seasons of his career with the Steelers. But, he played in only 36 games as he was suspended for the entire 2016 season. He played in eight games with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 before receiving the suspension he was recently reinstated from.
In 44 total games, Bryant caught 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns. If the Cowboys can get him up to speed, they will be adding a potential big-play threat to their offense as he averaged 15.1 yards per reception. Given the depth of their roster and how long he has been away from the game, anything Dallas receives from Bryant is gravy.
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