Suspended WR Martavis Bryant to help coach high school team

LATROBE, Pa. -- As the Pittsburgh Steelers begin training camp this week, suspended receiver Martavis Bryant is a few thousand miles away.

Bryant, the talented but troubled playmaker who has 17 touchdowns in two seasons, will spend the year in Henderson, Nevada, training and volunteering with a high school football team, according to his agent, Thomas Santanello.

Bryant, 24, is suspended for the 2016 season for multiple offenses of the NFL's drug policy.

Bryant will help coach receivers at a high school, the name of which is being finalized, and serve at local hospitals at least once a week. He is training five days a week at Van Hook Sports Performance.

"He's as focused as I've seen him in a while," Santanello said. "He's keeping very busy. He enjoys working with kids."

Bryant also missed four games in 2015 for drug-testing violations, which prompted him to seek treatment with noted Houston-based counselor John Lucas. Santanello said Bryant has stayed compliant with the NFL's intervention program, which can subject players to unannounced drug tests and treatment plans. He can apply for reinstatement in January.

Teammate Markus Wheatonsaid he keeps in touch with Bryant and said Bryant is in a good place.

"He's not traveling as much. He's with the right people. He's stationary," Wheaton said. "I think he'll be fine."

In March, Bryant said in a statement to National Football Post, "I'm committed to making this right and realizing my full potential, on and off the field."