(Tampa) Theatrical, the most recent chapter ending for Antonio Brown in the NFL wouldn’t have a component where the wide-winger told coaches he was too injured to return to the game on Sunday, against the Jets.
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has dismissed the idea that Brown’s exit stemmed from a refusal to play following an ankle injury.
Brown tossed several pieces of equipment into the stands and waved to the crowd at MetLife Stadium, before leaving the field.
Twice Arians was asked about Brown claiming to be injured. On both occasions the coach replied no, Brown did not tell him he was injured.
“He left the field and that’s it,” Arians said, declining to give details of a trade the coach allegedly had with the wide receiver on the sidelines. We had a conversation and he left the field. ”
Asked what might have made Brown react the way he did, the coach said, “You have to ask him. I’ve no idea. I just hope the best for him. ”
Brown removed his sweater, shoulder pads, t-shirt and gloves before lifting the markers in the third quarter. The Bucs won 28-24.
Arians does not regret giving the controversial wide receiver the chance to play with Tom Brady, to revive an eventful career.
Tampa Bay was Brown’s third team since his last full season in the NFL – in 2018, with the Steelers.
Brown also had messy starts from Oakland and New England.
He only played one game with the Raiders and had a brief stint with the Patriots.
” I wish him good luck. I hope he gets some help if he needs it, said Arians, Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator when the Steelers drafted Brown in 2010 in the sixth round. It’s very difficult because it is close to my heart, which happens to him. ”
Brown hadn’t played in the NFL for over 13 months when he joined the Buccaneers in October 2020.
He was nearing the end of an eight-game suspension relating to the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
At the time, Brown was also facing a civil lawsuit brought by a woman accusing him of sexual assault.
“It took me a long time to introspect and work on myself,” Brown said in November 2020.
Brady allowed Brown to cohabit with him in a residence the quarterback rented from Derek Jeter.
“I’m not going to say I’m a different person, but I’m a better person,” said the wide-winger at the time. Having worked on myself for a year and a half, I think I’m a better person. ”
Several Arians staff, including offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, also worked with Brown early in his career.
Brown has 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns in the last eight games of 2020. He contributed in the playoffs and the Super Bowl, catching a touchdown pass in the win over Kansas City.
He signed another one-year contract last May and got off to a good start when he suffered an ankle injury in Philadelphia in mid-October.
Brown returned to the game two weeks ago after serving a three-game suspension over a false vaccination passport.
He had 10 catches for 101 yards in a win over Carolina.
Brown grabbed three passes for 26 yards against the Jets, ending the season with 42 catches, 545 yards and four touchdowns.
With Pittsburgh from 2013-18, Brown wowed with six straight seasons of at least 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards.
Oakland acquired it in March 2019, via an exchange.
The receiver then signed with New England after a tumultuous stint with the Raiders (Brown secured his release at camp).
Raiders struck down guaranteed money in Brown’s contract after a turbulent summer: Among other things, Brown missed workouts due to frozen feet, attributed to not wearing the right shoes during a cryotherapy session .
He also threatened to retire if he had to wear a new type of helmet, imposed by the NFL.
Brown caught four passes for 56 yards and one touchdown in his only game with the Pats. The club released him after a former therapist accused him of sexual assault.
In 12 seasons in the NFL, Brown has 928 catches, 12,291 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns.