Bryant suspension could be trouble for Steelers

Second-year receiver Martavis Bryant has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Bryant can appeal the suspension, but if he is out for four games it is a big blow to the offense.

After the Steelers struggled to score against Jacksonville and Cleveland in back-to-back games last season, managing only 27 points combined against two of the league’s worst defenses, the coaching staff made a significant change in personnel.

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley inserted rookie receiver Martavis Bryant into the lineup after he sat out the first six games. The Steelers averaged 27 points per game over the final 10 games of the regular season to finish the season among the top offenses in the league.

That one change didn’t transform the offense on its own, but it went a long way toward getting the right balance with personnel.

Markus Wheaton went from starter to part-time player and Bryant assumed the snaps Wheaton had been getting. Wheaton, who averaged 62 snaps per game in the first six games, averaged 40 over the final 10. Bryant averaged 33 snaps and provided the Steelers with the big-play ability No. 2 receivers in the NFL are expected to provide.

Now that balance is compromised in the short-term and perhaps the long-term if Bryant doesn’t adhere to the policy in the future.

Antonio Brown remains the No. 1 receiver, but Wheaton is likely to shift back to the outside. He had been playing in the slot. The Steelers also have veteran Darrius-Heyward Bey and rookie Sammie Coates at their disposal when they play three-receiver sets.

“Someone has to step up, period,” receivers coach Richard Mann said. “You have to be able to play the cards that you’re dealt, and that’s what we have to do.”

Mann said it shouldn’t be a big deal for Wheaton to move back outside.

“I’ve been moving him from outside to inside the whole time,” Mann said.

Earlier in the day, coach Mike Tomlin said rookie Sammie Coates is in better condition than Bryant at this stage of their first season. I asked Mann is Coates could be an option.

“If I’m dealt those cards we’ll figure out the best scenario that we can use to jury-rig it,” Mann said. “We’ll just go with it. We’ve been coaching every one of them. Those guys who haven’t been getting as many reps they have to step up and get more reps.”