Buccaneers Release Antonio Brown, Refute Mishandling of Injury

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, the team announced on Thursday.

Brown left in the middle of the team’s game against the New York Jets on Sunday after a sideline meltdown that saw him strip out of his uniform.

After the game, head coach Bruce Arians said that Brown would no longer be a part of the team.

Brown sent a statement through his attorney on Wednesday, claiming that the Buccaneers had mishandled an ankle injury, which was the reason Brown refused to go back into the game.

Antonio Brown Claiming He Didn’t Quit on Buccaneers

The team refuted that report on Thursday.

“While Antonio did receive treatment on his ankle and was listed on the injury report the week leading up to Sunday’s game, he was cleared to play by our medical team prior to the start of the game and at no point during the game did he indicate to our medical personnel that he could not play,” the team’s statement said.

“We have attempted, multiple times throughout the week, to schedule an evaluation by an outside orthopedic specialist, yet Antonio has not complied. Maintaining the health and wellness of our players is of the utmost importance to our organization.”

As a vested veteran, Brown is now a free agent and is free to sign with any team. His contract with Tampa was set to expire at the end of the 2021 season.