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When Antonio Brown missed practice Friday fans were put at ease when Mike Tomlin stated it was nothing more than an illness, not a setback of his calf injury. However, as the calendar moved from Friday to Saturday, reports started swirling Brown could be a game-time decision.
This from ProFootballTalk:
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to be a game-time decision, a source told PFT, as Brown’s calf injury remains an issue.
The Steelers listed Brown as questionable in their Friday status report, though coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t “have a lot of reservations about [Brown] from a physical health standpoint.”
While the report doesn’t exude much confidence in Brown’s possibility of playing, other reports suggest Brown should be good-to-go.
Antonio Brown, who has been battling stomach flu, is back in Steelers facility today. Team is very optimistic he will play Sunday
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 13, 2018
OK #Steelers fans, breathe easy: Antonio Brown WAS at walk through this morning. According to a couple teammates, he looked fully healthy - and ready for tomorrow's faceoff w/ #Jaguars.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 13, 2018
Brown being at the facility is a step in the right direction, but the ultimate question is whether Brown is listed as a game-time decision due to the illness, or his calf. I am inclined to believe it is the illness, not the calf. Brown practiced fully on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday before being sent home Friday. Teammates all gawked at Brown, stating how he didn’t look like he was injured.
Nonetheless, similar to the lead up to the Monday Night Football vs. the Bengals where Brown was nursing a toe injury, Steelers fans will likely be on edge wondering the status of their All-Pro receiver.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on this news, and others, leading up to the playoff game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars.