Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant just received a four game suspension from the NFL for substance abuse.
This is his 3rd suspension in a year, but first as a member of the Lions. Detroit signed Bryant when the Browns released him after he was re-instated from a four game suspension. He did serve a three game suspension last year while on the team, however the Lions organization knew of the suspension when they signed him mid-season. All three of his suspensions while in the NFL have been because of substance abuse.
It remains to be seen as to what Bob Quinn and company will do about Bryant. They signed him in March to a one year deal worth $855,000 but only $40,000 of it was guaranteed. Because of the low guaranteed money loss, they can easily cut Bryant if they want to.
I’m not quite sure as to what path the Lions will take with this. Bryant was productive in the few games he played last year, notching three sacks in four games played. If the team had bigger depth at the pass-rushing position, I feel as if they would cut ties with him. Yet, cutting Bryant would mean that Ziggy Ansah and Cornelius Washington would be their starting ends, with Kerry Hyder as the only real depth behind them. If I were to bet, I believe that the Lions will retain Bryant despite the suspension. However, if he has one more slip up with the team I would fully expect his time in the Honolulu Blue to be over.
It’s been a tough off-season for Lions d-linemen. Khyri Thornton was handed a six game break earlier this summer. Last year when asked about the signing of Bryant, the Lions maintained that as long as he lived up to the standards of the Detroit Lions while on the team, his past was irrelevant. Bryant has not held up his end of this deal.
