Antonio Brown participated in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ walkthrough at practice on Tuesday ahead of Super Bowl LV, but head coach Bruce Arians declined to say if Brown will play or not.
Arians called it a bonus walkthrough as injured players listed as doubtful for the Super Bowl participated, including Brown, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. Other injured players included Lavonte David, Jordan Whitehead, and Antoine Winfield Jr. according to Laine.
Coach Arians said today was a bonus walk-through day. All injured players (Antonio Brown, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead and Lavonte David) participated. He did not sound concerned about David yesterday. The others aren’t quite ready yet.
“We had 40 or 50 plays to walk through, so all of those guys participated, but they’re still not ready to go,” Arians said in Tuesday’s press conference.
Tampa listed Brown, who injured his knee Jan. 17 at New Orleans, as questionable on Jan. 29 for the Super Bowl and won’t release another injury report until Wednesday. Arians said on Monday that Brown “is getting close” according to Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith.
Brown, Winfield, and Whitehead all saw trainers on Monday, Arians said per WTSP’s Grace Remington.
David, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury from the NFC Championship game but appears likely to play per CBS Sports. Arians said on Monday that Winfield’s ankle “looks a little bit better” per Laine. For Whitehead, Araisn said “it’s way too early to tell still” Laine added.
Bruce Arians said Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) “looks a little bit better.” He said Antonio Brown (knee) is “getting close” and was able to do some things Thursday. “We’ll see how sore he is,” Arians said, adding “it’s way too early to tell still” with Jordan Whitehead (shoulder)
The coach alluded last week that this Tuesday could be telling of whether or not Brown will play in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Brown hasn’t played since hurting his knee in the Divisional Round at New Orleans, where he had one catch for 10 yards. He didn’t go to Green Bay for the NFC Championship game to avoid swelling as Arians mentioned beforehand in a Jan. 22 press conference.
Swashbuckling Offense Without Brown
Tampa fared well offensively without Brown at Green Bay, matching its highest point total for the playoffs and putting up 351 yards of total offense. That included wide receiver Scotty Miller filling in for Brown as a deep-ball threat with a 39-yard touchdown reception right before halftime.
Miller could be that deep-ball threat again if Brown sits out per Fox Sports’ Sarah Walsh.
Good morning from a windy Tampa. Talkinf Scotty Miller’s speed and Antonio Brown’s status. #superbowl55 #gobucs
The Bucs also have a plethora of talent at receiver with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Tyler Johnson in addition to Miller and Brown. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate can make plays in the passing game, too. Running back Leonard Fournette has emerged as a pass-catching back in the postseason.
Brown made an impact the last half of the regular season with 45 catches, 483 yards, and four touchdowns. He caught two passed for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card round at Washington.
Familiar Face for Brown
At least one Chiefs player hopes to see Brown on the field — sort of. Former teammate and Chiefs running back Le’Veon Bell said that per Trib Live’s Joe Rutter. The two stars played together for the Pittsburgh Steelers before parting ways during the past four years.
“It’s crazy to think as long as we were playing together that we never made it to this point,” Bell told Rutter. “To face and play against each other is going to be fun.”
Whether that’s Brown catching deep balls from Brady or being on the sideline remains to be seen.
READ NEXT: Leonard Fournette’s Super Bowl Prediction Comes True Seven Years Later
Comments
Bucs’ Bruce Arians Reacts to Antonio Brown Walkthrough