The Sports Xchange

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, the league officially announced Monday.

Bryant will be eligible to return to the Steelers’ active roster on Friday, Oct. 2 following the team’s Thursday night game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bryant is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

“We are disappointed in Martavis’ actions that has led to his four-game suspension,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “It is a disappointment to our entire organization as well as our fans, but we will continue to support Martavis during his suspension. It is very unfortunate his actions have put our team in this situation to begin the year, but we are confident he will learn from his mistake and return in excellent shape in Week 5.”

The Steelers open the season on Thurday, Sept. 10 at New England against the defending Super Bowl-champion Patriots.

The Steelers already will be without running back Le’Veon Bell (suspension) for the first two games and center Maurkice Pouncey (broken fibula) for likely at least half the season.

The Steelers also lost backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski for the season with a hand injury, which prompted them to sign controversial Michael Vick to back up Ben Roethlisberger.

Bryant, a fourth-round pick by the Steelers last year, caught 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games.