WR Martavis Bryant signing 1-year deal with Raiders
A source told Graziano that Bryant and the Raiders discussed potentially re-signing him at the time of his release and that Bryant is still in "wait and see mode" with regard to a potential suspension.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden had grown increasingly impatient with Bryant's lack of versatility in his playbook and missed practice time in training camp due to "headaches."
"We expected more from him," Gruden said Sept. 2, the day after initial 53-man rosters were turned in. "Perhaps we get Martavis again next year and we can get the best out of him."cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale
The Raiders receivers were shut down in Monday night's 33-13 season-opening home loss to the Los Angeles Rams, with Amari Cooper catching one pass on three targets for 9 yards and Jordy Nelson getting three receptions on four targets for 23 yards. Oakland was in need of a deep threat, though quarterback Derek Carr was under duress.
The Raiders play at the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that Bryant is facing a yearlong ban for his latest violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. The NFL is reviewing the matter and could issue its ruling as early as this week, a source told Schefter.
ESPN reported earlier this month that Bryant violated the league's drug policy at some point during the offseason.
Bryant's latest setback factored into the Raiders' decision to cut him just four months after they traded a third-round draft pick (79th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire the talented but troubled receiver.
Gruden was asked if giving up a third-round pick was perhaps a miscalculation.cheap nfl jerseys china nike
"I don't think so," he said. "I think the guy is a superb talent. The guy has great talent. We released our second-round draft choice last year and the year before and the year before that. Not everything is a perfect science, but we'll be criticized for that. It was a risk I thought well worth taking."
