PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said during his final news conference of the season Wednesday that he stands by everything he said about Antonio Brown's injury last week and that after Friday's practice it "became difficult" to contact Brown.
Tomlin also said the Steelers have not formally received a trade request from the disgruntled star wide receiver.
"When he came in and expressed discomfort in his knee on Friday and the fact that he wouldn't be able to participate on Friday, that's when we sent him to get an MRI," Tomlin said. "And at that time, I instructed him after he gets the MRI to go home to get off his feet, to lay low, and that I would communicate with him Friday evening."
Tomlin said Wednesday that Brown did not get an MRI exam.
Brown was listed as questionable because Tomlin wanted to "leave the light on" for Brown to possibly play in Sunday's season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tomlin says after Friday's practice is when it "became difficult to communicate and catch up with him."
"I wasn't able to communicate with him on Friday evening or Saturday morning," Tomlin said, "so we when had our Saturday mock game or walk-through and he was unavailable and we hadn't communicated with him, then it became something altogether different."
Tomlin says on Sunday morning he received a call from Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
"Drew expressed that (Brown) was feeling better and that he would potentially be able to participate," Tomlin said. "I outlined to Drew that decisions weren't made like that, but I would be interested in visiting with him prior to the game. But playing wasn't on the menu."
Tomlin said Brown asked during their meeting what he could do to help the team.
"I said the best thing he could to do in terms of helping us win the game is to be there and support his teammates," Tomlin said. "He agreed to do that."
Reports are that Brown left Heinz Field at halftime. Tomlin said he doesn't know if Brown left early.
"As the game began to unfold, obviously I get occupied with the things that are at hand," Tomlin said. "I hear that he left the stadium. I don't confirm that because, again, I was centered around the guys that were performing in stadium."
Tomlin confirmed that Sunday before the game was the last time he spoke to Brown. Though he didn't get into specifics, Tomlin said the issue will be addressed. Tomlin added Brown not playing on Sunday was not a form of punishment.
"He was absent due to injury and lack of communication," Tomlin said. "Obviously we take his lack of communication, his lack of presences particularly on Saturday prior to the game to be something that is very significant. It will be handled appropriately so.
"I'm not going to speculate in terms of the where the discipline might go and things of that nature," added Tomlin, who also confirmed that Brown skipped Monday's team meeting. "Just know that it's going to be addressed and it will be addressed and needs to be addressed for obvious reasons."
