By Michael Stets
Detroit Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant has been suspended once again.
Bryant, 27, has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL policy and program for substances of abuse, according to a statement from an NFL spokesperson. He will be eligible to return to the Lions’ active roster on Monday Oct. 2, and will be allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games.
This is the third suspension incurred by Bryant since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2013. The reserve defensive end was suspended for the first four games in 2016 for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. After being claimed by the Lions in October last year, Bryant served a three-game suspension in November for violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse, stemming from a 2015 incident where he plead guilty to a drug charge.
“When we signed Armonty, we knew additional discipline from the NFL was a possibility due to an incident that occurred in 2015. ” The Lions said in a statement after Bryant’s three-game suspension last season. “Since joining our team, Armonty has met our expectations on and off the field.”
After serving his suspension last season, Bryant was activated prior to the Lions Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. He was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury two days later, ending his 2016 season. In the five games he played in last season, Bryant totaled four tackles and three sacks. The former seventh-round draft pick out of East Central re-signed with the Lions this past March.
Bryant’s four-game suspension does affect the defensive line rotation behind starting defensive ends Ziggy Ansah and Kerry Hyder. However, there is some depth there with free agent addition Cornelius Washington, 2016 sixth-round draft pick Anthony Zettel and Brandon Copeland.
Bryant is the second Lion to be suspended for the upcoming season for violating the NFL’s policy for substances of abuse. Defensive tackle Kyhri Thornton was suspended for the first six games of the 2017 season last month.