Tomlin: Bryant’s taking issues public ‘out of bounds’
PITTSBURGH » Mike Tomlin has a message for wide receiver Martavis Bryant: get comfortable.
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach stressed Tuesday that Bryant is “not available via trade” following a social media outburst late Sunday in which Bryant expressed frustration about his role in the offense and hinted he wants to go to a team where he can get more playing time.
“It’s irrelevant whether his gripe is legitimate,” Tomlin said. “It’s whether it’s appropriate.”
Bryant initially called out rookie teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster while commenting on an Instagram post that claimed Bryant was being ignored by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Bryant later deleted the post, replacing it with one in which he called Smith-Schuster a “great talent” then adding mine period point-blank.”
Smith-Schuster brushed off the criticism on Monday, but Tomlin chastised Bryant for publicly airing issues he believes should be kept in-house.
“He was out of bounds in some of his actions in terms of the things he said on social media,” Tomlin said.
Bryant ran once for 2 yards and caught one pass for 3 yards in a 29-14 win over Cincinnati last Sunday, the second-lowest yardage total of his career. Seven games into his return after missing all of the 2016 season because of a drug suspension, Bryant is tied for third on the team with 18 receptions. He’s also third in targets, though his 13.0 yards per catch is well below the 17.3 yards per reception he averaged while becoming one of the NFL’s most potent deep threats in 2014 and 2015, when he scored 14 touchdowns in 21 games. “I just wants
Lynch’s appeal of 1-game suspension denied
ALAMEDA » Marshawn Lynch’s appeal of his one-game suspension for shoving an official was denied and the running back will miss Oakland’s game this week at Buffalo.
Appeals officer James Thrash, who was appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, upheld the one-game ban without pay.
Lynch will not be allowed to be with the Raiders until Oct. 30, clearing the way for second-year backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington to carry the load for the Raiders (3-4) against the Bills (4-2).
Banged-up ’Skins face short week
WASHINGTON » The Washington Redskins’ injury situation is so bad that coach Jay Gruden would rather give players an extra day off than practice and possibly make it worse.
With another pivotal NFC East matchup against Dallas on Sunday, the Redskins won’t practice again until Thursday because their injured players could use the rest. Just along the starting offensive line, tackles Trent Williams and Morgan Moses, right guard Brandon Scherff and center Spencer Long are battling injuries that will at the very least limit their effectiveness if they’re even able to get on the field.
Williams continues to play with a severe right knee injury that will likely require surgery, Scherff sprained the MCL in his left knee and hurt his lower back, Long has knee and quadriceps tendinitis and Moses sprained both ankles. All of those injuries except Williams’ occurred in a 34-24 loss at the divisionleading Eagles on Monday, and backup offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe remains out after surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
Gruden said on a conference call Tuesday there’s a chance Scherff can play with a brace on Sunday against Dallas.