Gruden hopes re-signed Bryant can ignite Raiders' passing game

After the Oakland Raiders officially re-signed Martavis Bryant on Wednesday, head coach Jon Gruden appeared confident that his wide receiver will spark the club's dull passing attack.

"I think he's healthy. I think he's ready to go. I'm sold on that," Gruden told reporters Wednesday, per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com. "We've been in contact with him since he's been away. And as I said when we made the trade to get him, when he's right, he can be a difference-maker. And we're hoping he can be one sooner than later."

Bryant was a marquee acquisition in the offseason, as Oakland parted with a third-round pick to acquire him from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

An up-and-down training camp, however, coupled with reports that he's facing another year-long suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, led the Raiders to release him after the preseason.

"Well, I think one of the reasons he was outperformed was he was inconsistently available," said Gruden, who was critical of Bryant at times during training camp. "He was sick, he had lingering problems. But I think he's in a really good place right now ... and when he's in a really good place, he can be a really good player in this league. He's proven that."

Bryant could, conceivably, jump into the starting lineup right away, as the Raiders' wide receivers combined for just 43 receiving yards in a 33-13 Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

"We obviously know what kind of talent he is, so we're very excited to have him back to have that threat and that speed," quarterback Derek Carr said.

Bryant posted 50 catches for 603 yards and three touchdowns for the Steelers last year.