Antonio Brown Injury Update: Steelers Receiver Plans To Play Against Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown will most likely return on the field with his team Sunday to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brown, who injured his left calf during Week 15, underwent continuous rehabilitation to make it back on the field as fast as possible.

"It's the playoffs — you've go to do whatever it takes," Brown said, while speaking from his locker for the first time since his injury in the second quarter of a 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots on Dec. 15.

Brown returned to practice Monday and several teammates expect him to play in the AFC divisional round at Heinz Field because of his rigorous work ethic and toughness, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said.

According to reports, Brown worked with former Pro Bowl receiver and friend Chad Johnson over the weekend in South Florida to work on open-field cutting.

"We'll see how it goes and how the week progressed. I feel I was able to go through practice," Brown said. "I can still get a little better, but it was good to be out there. ... There's still a lot to test. First day of the week."

Brown recalled his "pretty ugly" injury and said he's grateful he's in a position to play again this year.

"Absolutely [scary]," Brown said. "As soon as the incident happened, with an MRI, and we're in a police car right to the hospital — I'm pretty grateful. [I] can grow from this experience. No man playing this game has never had adversity. I'm glad I'm able to be on my feet today talking to you guys."

Despite his injury, Brown was named the Steelers’ MVP Wednesday, marking the fourth time in his career he’s won the award.

Brown's injury came just 13 days after teammate Ryan Shazier was seriously injured and rushed to the hospital from Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 4. Shazier underwent spinal-stabilization surgery following which doctors raised concerns over his future in the National Football League.

Last week, Shazier's father said his son regained feeling in his legs and expressed hope he would soon work with the team again.

“He said, ‘Daddy, pray for me. I can’t feel my legs,'” Vernon said in an interview with Pittsburgh’s WPXI. “He’s much better, but we’ve agreed to keep his progress private until he’s ready to share where he’s at,” Vernon added, declining to comment on whether Ryan has resumed walking.