Report: Antonio Brown to miss at least 2 more games with lingering ankle injury

Staff writer

Wed, 1 Dec 2021, 3:52 pm·2-min read

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to miss at least two more games with a lingering ankle sprain suffered in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Brown has missed five games since sustaining the injury and will miss upcoming matchups against the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills if the prognosis holds true.

During his absence from the field, Brown has been under investigation by the NFL after his former personal chef Steven Ruiz alleged that he had procured a fake COVID-19 vaccine card. The Tampa Bay Times reported on Sunday that the NFL interviewed Ruiz about his claim last week.

Nov 22, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports — Antonio Brown hasn't played since Week 6 and remains under investigation by the NFL for an allegation that he procured a face vaccine card. (Kim Klement/Reuters)

Brown was off to a great start

Prior to his injury, Brown's per-game production approached his previous Pro-Bowl form not seen since his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018. In five games, Brown tallied 29 catches for 418 yards with four touchdowns. If he is able to return after Tampa's Week 14 matchup agains the Bills, the Bucs would have four regular-season games remaining against the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and two matchups against the Carolina Panthers.

The Bucs have a deep receiving corps, and quarterback Tom Brady has leaned more on Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Tyler Johnson in Brown's absence. The 8-3 Bucs have a three-game lead in the NFC South and are a half-game behind the 9-2 Arizona Cardinals, who have the inside track to the top seed in the NFC playoffs and the conference's lone postseason bye.