It’s looking more and more like Pittsburgh Steelers second-year wide receiver Martavis Bryant will indeed make his 2015 debut Sunday at Heinz Field against the Arizona Cardinals.
Not only was Bryant not listed on the team’s Wednesday injury report following concerns that he might’ve tweaked a knee during his first practice back with the team a week ago Monday, the Steelers recently posted a video of him going all out in practice.
The return of Bryant on Sunday will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the Steelers offense as not only will it give quarterback Mike Vick a speedy deep target to throw to, his presence on the field should also help create some extra space on the field for fellow wide receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton.
While veteran wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey has done an admirable job at filling in for Bryant during the first five weeks of the season, he’s failed to produce an explosive play of 20 yards or more since Vick has been quarterbacking the team. In fact, the Steelers offense has only produced 3 explosive plays through the air in the two games that Vick has started and all three came Monday night in their thrilling win over the San Diego Chargers
In Vick’s two starts since starter Ben Roethlisberger went down injured, he is 1-7 for 72 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception on throws that have traveled more than 20 yards in the air past the line of scrimmage.
During his 2014 rookie season, Bryant registered 8 explosive receiving plays.
What’s it like to try and cover @ThaBestUNO? pic.twitter.com/LaHiqghdfg
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 15, 2015
