Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians: Antonio Brown injury different than originally thought
TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that wide receiver Antonio Brown, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 6 at the Philadelphia Eagles, is actually dealing with an injury different than initially thought.
He also said the seven-time Pro Bowler, who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2014 and 2017 and receptions in 2014 and 2015, is doubtful to play this week at the Atlanta Falcons.
"It was more a different injury than originally thought," Arians said. "A sprain. There's some issues in the heel -- that's what he's having problems with."
It's a different tune from the one Arians had on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week, when he said, "I've got my fingers crossed for hopefully next week against [Atlanta]."
When asked, in hindsight, if the Bucs had known the extent of the injury, would they have placed him on injured reserve, which would have put him out for three weeks, Arians said, "Possibly."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that doctors initially expected it to be a six-week recovery. But this week would mark the sixth week that he's been ruled out since suffering the injury at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Brown also missed the Bucs' Week 3 game at the Los Angeles Rams due to COVID-19.
In five games this season, Brown's had 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Last year, Brown had 93 receiving yards and a touchdown at the Falcons in Week 15, which marked a turning point in the Bucs' season, when they overcame a 24-7 deficit. Brown's 46-yard touchdown sealed a 31-27 victory, marking the fourth time in quarterback Tom Brady's career that he won after trailing by 17 or more points at halftime.
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