Jan 5, 2016 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Because of a four-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s drug policy and then a knee injury upon his return that sidelined him for another week, Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant didn’t make in impact early this season.

He hasn’t made much of one of late, either.

And suspensions have had nothing to do with it.

Bryant, Pittsburgh’s big-play wide receiver, hasn’t offered much of a threat in recent weeks.

Despite finishing with 50 receptions for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games, Bryant had only two catches for six yards in the Steelers’ last two games. He finished the season averaging 17 yards per catch, but it was only 7.5 yards per reception on 19 catches in the final four games of the regular-season.

The Steelers (10-6) need more out of Bryant – or somebody other than Antonio Brown – in Saturday’s AFC Wilcard game at Cincinnati (12-4) if they are to continue playing beyond this weekend.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that there were extenuating circumstances to Bryant’s lack of production in a 28-12 win Sunday at Cleveland.

Bryant, who missed two days of practice with an illness leading up to the game, played only a few snaps against Cleveland before leaving with a minor neck injury.

“He sustained a minor injury that we wanted to help him get through,” said Tomlin. “Oftentimes, when young guys don’t get an opportunity to practice, they lack a little detail in play.”

Bryant appeared to be lacking some of the details against the Browns. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw an interception to Cleveland safety Jordan Poyer when Bryant rounded off a pass route to the inside instead of turning and stopping. After what appeared to be a second miscommunication between the two a little later, Bryant didn’t play again. He was replaced by Darrius Heyward-Bey.

“I’m not going to get into details about what unfolded on that interception, other than to acknowledge that Poyer made a nice play,” Tomlin said. “We’re excited about preparing this week with Martavis and everyone else. Hopefully, illnesses and things that have been issues for us the last several weeks, will be less of an issue.”

The Steelers know their offense needs a complimentary option or two beyond Antonio Brown, who tied for the NFL lead with 136 receptions and led the AFC with 1,834 receiving yards in one of the best seasons for a receiver in NFL history.

In two games against the Bengals, Brown had 13 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown.

Tight end Heath Miller matched his career high with 10 receptions in each game against the Bengals but failed to score as Cincinnati took away Pittsburgh’s deep passing game. Cincinnati allowed an NFL-low 39 pass plays of 20 or more yards this season.

Roethlisberger believes that if he attempts a deep pass to the 6-4, 220-pound Bryant, the second-year receiver needs to do a better job of battling defensive backs for the football.

“He needs to understand that … this time of year, you’ve got to toughen up,” Roethlisberger told KDKA-FM. “You’ve got to get tough and you’ve got to make tough plays, make tough catches and find ways to do everything you can to help this team.”

Tomlin just wants somebody to make a big play or two. Bryant has gone four games in a row without scoring a touchdown after having 15 of his first 17 NFL games.

“We have a bunch of capable guys,” Tomlin said. “I find comfort in knowing that we have the type of group that we can plug in guys and deliver what we need.”

Tomlin said running back DeAngelo Williams’ injury is more a foot issue than an ankle. Tomlin said Williams, who leads the Steelers with 907 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, is day to day in terms of availability against the Bengals. If he is unable to play, the Steelers will use Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman at running back. … Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis acknowledged Tuesday that backup A.J. McCarron will likely start for the Bengals in place of injured Andy Dalton (thumb). Dalton had a cast removed from his throwing hand Tuesday. … Both Tomlin and Lewis said they don’t expect a repeat of the extra-curricular incidents that occurred in the previous meeting, when the teams combined to accumulate almost $150,000 worth of fines from the NFL.