The Washington Commanders announced on Tuesday that they have signed WR Martavis Bryant, and released kicker Ramiz Ahmed. Bryant, who has been suspended by the NFL multiple times, last played a regular-season game in 2018 (when he had his third substance-abuse violation).
The Dallas Cowboys released Bryant in May after he was on their practice squad last season. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was with the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator at the time Bryant was there, which played a role in Washington’s decision to sign him. Quinn told reporters, per ESPN: “He’s in really good shape and he’s really hungry to prove it. He’s been ready for a while, so it’s good to have him here.”
Bryant, 32, entered the league as a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft. He totaled a career-high eight touchdowns in his first season. Just before he started his second season, however, Bryant was suspended for the first time for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He returned from the suspension in 2015 and had a career-high 765 yards receiving in 10 games, but was later banned again from the league for the 2016 season and played 15 games for the Steelers in 2017 before an offseason trade to the Raiders.
Bryant played his last game on Nov. 11, 2018, for the Oakland Raiders before the franchise moved to Las Vegas; he was suspended for a third time later that year for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement. Since then, the wide receiver played for several minor league football teams, including Fan Controlled Football and the XFL (now UFL). Bryant totaled 2,183 receiving yards, 126 catches and 18 total touchdowns through his first 44 games in his NFL career.
The Commanders will face the Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
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