Martavis Bryant after signing with Cowboys: ‘Sky’s the limit for me’

Bryant hasn’t played in the NFL since the league suspended him indefinitely in 2018 after several violations of the substance-abuse policy. The NFL reinstated Bryant last week and the Cowboys brought him in for a tryout. They signed him to the practice squad this week.

Previously, Martavis Bennett spent four seasons in the NFL, three of them in Pittsburgh. He played for the Raiders his final season before the NFL tagged him with an indefinite suspension. And the league kicked him out for the entire 2016 season. Overall, Bryant played in 44 games with 18 starts. He caught 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Once the Cowboys signed Bryant, the NFL shared an old clip from back in the days when the receiver played for the Steelers. Pittsburgh selected Bryant in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. This play was from the Steelers 2015 playoff game against the Bengals. It might not be considered a catch these days. But, wow, the effort. Give the kid extra points for post-catch flip.

Martavis Bryant didn’t stay away from football in his five years away from the NFL. He spent last season with the Las Vegas Vipers in the XFL. Bryant also signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL, but didn’t make it to training camp. He then signed with the Edmonton franchise in 2022. He also was released.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said the team evaluated Bryant’s game film from his stint in the XFL. He filled the 16th and final spot on the Cowboys practice squad. There are three receivers on the squad hoping for elevation to the active roster.