Antonio Brown will no longer suit up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The four-time All-Pro receiver was dismissed from the team during Sunday's matchup against the New York Jets, after removing his uniform and equipment in what was a bizarre second-half meltdown on the visitors sideline.
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians told reporters after the game that Brown was no longer with the franchise, but didn't provide any details on what triggered Brown's outburst. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport told CBS Sports Radio on Monday that the incident stemmed from Brown's refusal to play in the second half, due to a reaggravated ankle injury.
"Antonio Brown is probably done. And I say probably, because there's always a sucker. There's always somebody out there who thinks that they can help or get the job done," JR said during Monday's edition of the JR SportBrief show. "And Tom Brady, one of his last comments, was that everything with Brown goes past football. And he just hopes that people give him a damn break.
"We don't know what 'difficult things' are happening, besides this man needs help. He has needed help. The NFL has given him a chance, an opportunity. But like everything else, it's chewed him up, spat him out. What comes next? I don't know. But I hope it's not a sad, sob story... I think he's done. I think it'd be wise for any NFL team to stay the hell away from the guy. If I'm the NFLPA, I'm trying to help this dude."
Brown has been the center of attention for all the wrong reasons this season. In early December, the 33-year-old received a three-game suspension by the NFL for violating league protocols and obtaining a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. Although it's unclear whether or not Brown's ankle was a serious matter on Sunday, he missed eight games due to the injury, suffered in mid-October. He was also listed as limited in practice last week.
On Monday night, Brown was spotted courtside at Barclays Center, watching the Brooklyn Nets. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Bucs have yet to officially release Brown, as the team and league are still trying to figure out how to move ahead in the process. In seven games this season, Brown caught 42 passes for 545 receiving yards with four touchdowns.
JR's complete thoughts on Brown can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.