2 min read • January 03, 2022
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An exchange between head coach Bruce Arians and Antonio Brown about the wide receiver's ankle injury likely led to his infamous exit from the Buccaneers' game Sunday.
The 33-year-old reportedly refused to reenter the game in the third quarter because of his ankle injury. Arians then reportedly told Brown to "get out."
After the exchange, Brown proceeded to take off his pads, undershirt and gloves, then run off the field.
Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc, said that Brown did not look 100% on the injured left ankle in the action prior to his shirtless exit from the stadium.
"I think it's fair to Antonio Brown to say that he was not 100% on his left ankle, based on how he was being utilized and how he even ran off," Chao said.
Brown was clearly favoring his left ankle during the game and even had a slight hitch as he ran to the tunnel, Chao said.
Brown had three catches on five targets for 26 yards, all in the first half.
Tampa Bay relied heavily on Brown in his first game back from the Week 6 ankle injury and suspension he served for the fake vaccination card.
In Week 16, the 7-time Pro Bowler had 10 catches on 15 targets for 101, his highest receiving yards total since Week 5.
However, he likely suffered a setback on his ankle injury during that game or in practice on Wednesday given the fact he was unable to practice Thursday or Friday.
Arians told reporters that he does not know what caused Brown to leave the field Sunday, but said Brown didn't mention the ankle injury as the reason he refused to go back in the game.
After the game, Arians also told reporters Brown is "no longer a Buc."
The Buccaneers now enter the playoffs with Mike Evans as the main receiver, but Evans is dealing with a hamstring strain that limited him in the win over the Jets.
Tampa Bay is also down star receiver Chris Godwin, who is out for the season with a torn ACL he suffered Week 15.
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