Pittsburgh Steelers injury report: Good signs for Antonio Brown

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t release an injury report this week, but there is good news surrounding one of their biggest players.

Antonio Brown wasn’t expected to be back during the regular season. But now that the playoffs have started, the team is hoping he returns to the field sooner than later. Well, the first step in that process has started, leaving signs of hope for his return by the team’s first playoff game.

According to a team source, Brown was out on the field catching passes during the team’s practice this week. That’s a significant step from his running on the treadmill towards the beginning of the week.

Brown’s partially torn calf muscle scared every Steelers’ fan when he went down. The injury appeared to be much less serious than it appeared, but with missed time, the Steelers were still worried for the return of their star receiver.

No. 84 could be back on the field for most of practice next week before the team’s first playoff game. He may still have a ways to go, but chances are Mike Tomlin is taking things slow for the wideout.

Tomlin did say during a press conference this week that both Brown and B.J. Finney would be listed as “Questionable” if the team played this week. Hopeful signs as the postseason gets on its way.

The Steelers are still uncertain who they’ll play in the second round of the AFC Playoffs. Everyone in this year’s postseason is a serious threat, but with AB on the field, the Steelers gain a major advantage.

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Depending on the outcome of their first playoff matchup, Brown’s play count next week could be smaller than he’s used to. With the Patriots a likely opponent in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh will most likely try to keep everyone, especially Brown, healthy during their Divisional Round game.