Panthers wide receiver Ventell Bryant will not be available to start the season. The NFL handed the young pass catcher/special-teamer a two-game suspension, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.
This falls under the league’s substance-abuse policy. Bryant was arrested for DUI in March 2020, but the 24-year-old receiver reached a plea deal to bring the charge down to reckless driving earlier this year, Greg Auman of The Athletic notes (via Twitter).
One of several Temple players on ex-Owls head coach Matt Rhule‘s Panthers roster, Bryant signed a reserve/futures contract with Carolina in January. His only game action has come for the 2019 Cowboys, who used him as a special-teamer in 12 games. Bryant broke into the league as a Bengals UDFA in 2019.
The 25-year-old receiver is not a threat to see much time as a receiver with the Panthers, who have Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore and second-round pick Terrace Marshall at the position. Bryant retains practice squad eligibility, however. He joins Anderson, Haason Reddick, wideout Keith Kirkwood and four other current Panthers Rhule coached while at Temple.
Funny that the league didn’t issue a similar suspension for Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon’s DUI plea deal.