March 31, 2022
Free-agent wide receiver
Antonio Brown (ankle) said he hasn't had ankle surgery yet and doesn't plan to unless a team commits to signing him. Interesting strategy from a 33-year-old receiver that was last seen abandoning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by walking off the playing field last season. Brown was subsequently cut by Tampa, and given the new information on his status, it doesn't seem likely that he'll be playing in the NFL in 2022. The seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro has had a handful of off-the-field issues since leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, but he helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl two seasons ago. In seven games in Tampa in 2021, he had 42 catches for 545 yards and four touchdowns on 62 targets.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 9, 2022
Wide receiver
Antonio Brown (ankle) will have surgery in a few weeks, although the date could change. The veteran, who the Buccaneers released during the week after an incident with head coach Bruce Arians, reported he has "broken bone fragments, cartilage loss, and a ligament torn from the bone" in his ankle. He's dealt with the issue for most of the year, although he still had flashes of efficiency by racking up at least seven catches in four of his seven appearances this year. Nonetheless, it's obvious Brown is still one of the most talented wideouts in the league. However, given the potential severity of his ankle ailment and turbulent personality, it's possible most teams aren't willing to take a chance on him moving ahead. Still, those in dynasty formats should keep him on the roster for now.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
January 6, 2022
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are officially releasing wide receiver
Antonio Brown on Thursday, according to a league sources. Last week, Brown and his agent requested that the remaining $2 million in incentives in his contract for this season be guaranteed, according to general manager Jason Licht. However, the team declined to guarantee those incentives. Brown walked off the field in the Week 17 win over the New York Jets, but he claims he was too hurt to play after head coach Bruce Arians demanded that he go back into the game. The 33-year-old said he plans to undergo surgery on his injured ankle, so it's highly unlikely that any team will pick him up. Brown will finish the season with 42 catches on 62 targets for 545 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. The seven-time Pro Bowler may have played his last game in the NFL after his latest meltdown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 5, 2022
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Antonio Brown (ankle) said in a statement that an MRI last week "shows broken bone fragments" and a "ligament torn from the bone." He plans to have surgery on his ankle and claims that head coach Bruce Arians essentially cut him in Week 17 against the New York Jets when he told the coach that he was too injured to go back into the game. Brown says he relented to pressure from his coach to play injured after going for a season-high 10 catches on 15 targets for 101 yards the week prior. It's essentially Brown's word against the Bucs organization at this point, which is unlikely to end anytime soon. The wideout is technically still a member of the team right now, but only because the front office is working with the NFL on how to handle the matter. The 33-year-old's time with Tampa is over, but it remains to be seen if another team will give him a chance before next season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
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