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If you were like me, when you saw news coming over Twitter stating Antonio Brown missing the Steelers’ Friday, and final, practice before their AFC Divisional Playoff game vs. the Jaguars, you expected the worse.
It wouldn’t be considered out of the realm of possibility for Brown to experience a setback to his calf, which he injured in Week 15 vs. the Patriots, but that wasn’t the reason he missed practice Friday. He missed because he was sent home with an illness, per Mike Tomlin.
Mike Tomlin says Antonio Brown was sent home w/ an illness, but that he's "looked really good" all week. Says Artie Burns and Stephon Tuitt were full participants today. #Steelers at full health for Sunday.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 12, 2018
If there was a reason to be okay with someone missing practice, fans should take an illness over a setback any day of the week. Tomlin ultimately is being cautious to not get anyone else sick before kickoff on Sunday. It is also worth noting how Tomlin, and Brown’s teammates, all suggest he looks like the usual AB in practice, not being hindered by his lower leg injury in any way.
In other injury news, Artie Burns (knee), Stephon Tuitt (elbow), B.J. Finney (thigh) and Javon Hagrave (back) were all back at practice and full participants, which is good news for them being ready to go on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Heinz Field.
Here is Artie Burns talking about his injury after practice:
#Steelers CB Artie Burns says he’s ready to play vs #Jaguars @937theFan pic.twitter.com/eQBKudllxC
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) January 12, 2018
Stay tuned to BTSC for the official game status reports for both the Steelers and Jaguars, but for the time being things look good for the Steelers on the injury front.