Antonio Brown Update: Bucs Cut Receiver In-Game, What Led To Release

Antonio Brown’s tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to a sudden, bizarre end during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets when the wide receiver took off his uniform and walked off the field.

Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians said in his post-game press conference that Brown was “no longer a Buc," indicating that the veteran was released during the game.

The Tampa Bay coaching staff cut Brown from the team on the sidelines when he refused to go back into Sunday’s game, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Brown told coaches that he wasn’t going back onto the field because he didn’t feel that he was healthy enough to do so, Rapoport reports.

Brown had been battling an ankle injury since Week 7 that forced him to miss several games. The 33-year-old was cleared to play after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Brown had three catches for 26 yards before leaving the game.

It wasn’t only Brown’s refusal to play in Week 17 that led to his release. Sunday’s incident was the final straw in a series of events that led to the end of Brown’s career in Tampa Bay.

From @GMFB: The relationship between the #Bucs and Antonio Brown was quietly going the wrong way for some time. Then he refused to enter the game and was tossed from the sidelines. A look at how it all went so wrong… pic.twitter.com/3TcfmXYho7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 3, 2022

Just talked to Bruce Arians who said he was trying to get AB to go into game & AB refused. Tried again Brown refused & Arians told him to get out. On if he saw AB take his jersey off.

“Yeah, I did. Never seen anything like it in all my years.” @NFLonFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 2, 2022

There had been a “boiling frustration” about Brown inside the organization, according to Rapoport. The team questioned how much Brown was paying attention to rehab for his ankle injury.

Brown was sidelined from weeks seven to 15, missing the final three contests because he was suspended for violating the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols and allegedly using a fake vaccination card.

The Bucs signed Brown in October 2020. Brown served an eight-game suspension to start last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Brown was arrested in January 2020 and charged with burglary of a vehicle, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Brown played a key role in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl run last season, recording 45 receptions for 483 yards in eight regular-season games. Brown was one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, catching 42 passes for 545 yards and four touchdowns in seven games during the 2021 season.

“We all love him. We care about him deeply. We wanna see him be his best, and unfortunately, he won't be with our team,” Brady said of Brown after Sunday’s game. “I think everyone should be very compassionate and empathetic towards some very difficult things that are happening.”

Brown's tumultuous NFL career has included severall off-the-field incidents, including an accusation of sexual assault. There was no immediate reaction from Brown about his dismissal.