Pittsburgh Steelers star, Antonio Brown, is the team’s biggest injury concern right now. But there are reports from all over saying the return time for the wide receiver is up in the air.
While one NFL reporter appears to believe AB is done until at least the second-round of the playoffs, another says he’ll be ready to go whenever. With only one week until the postseason, the status for Brown’s return has never been so unknown.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown could be looking at an extended period of time before he sees the field again. Stating the team will need to hope for a first-round bye in order to ensure Brown’s return by their first playoff game, Schefter put fear into the entire city with one statement.
"Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown is not expected to be ready for the wild-card round of the playoffs, a league source told ESPN.If Pittsburgh wants to enhance its chances of having Brown for the start of its playoff run, the Steelers would have to clinch a bye during wild-card round.The Steelers are vying for one of the conference’s two top seeds, which would carry a bye and an an extra week of rest for Brown and the rest of the players."
Then, there’s NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who says the Steeler’s wide receiver will be ready to go whenever the team needs him in the postseason. Although it’s already been made clear AB won’t be back until the playoffs, Rapoport says he’ll be good to go whether the team plays in the first or second round.
From @NFLGameDay: #Steelers WR Antonio Brown's calf injury is not a major one. The team is confident he'll be 💯% whenever he takes the field next. pic.twitter.com/m7xejdDTqA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2017
The Steelers will need Brown back in the postseason, whenever the play. As the league’s best wideout, Brown makes this offense twice as good as they are without him. Not that the team can’t win without him, but the amount of talent he brings to the field is unmatchable to any opponent.
When Brown returns is huge for this team. There’s no question he’ll do whatever necessary to play, and if there’s a chance he can, everyone better believe he’ll be on the field.
Next: How the offense will work without AB
There’s still time before he’ll need to be back. Chances are the Steelers secure a first-round bye, which should give Brown enough time to complete a full recovery. At this point, though, there’s nothing anyone can do but wait.