Bucs' WR Antonio Brown to sit out a further two weeks

Though it seemed like the star wide receiver was set to return, Tampa Bay will now have to wait a little longer.

Bucs' Antonio Brown to sit out two more weeks

According to ESPN, Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to remain sidelined for at least two more weeks. Brown, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury in the Week 6 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, is now thought to be dealing with a different problem than what was initially thought according to coach Bruce Arians. Indeed, Arians stated on Wednesday that the seven-time Pro Bowler, who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2014 and 2017 and receptions in 2014 and 2015, is a doubt ahead of this week's date with the Atlanta Falcons.

Bucs' Bruce Arians weighs in

"It was more a different injury than originally thought," Arians said. "A sprain. There's some issues in the heel - that's what he's having problems with. This is of course in contrast to what Arians himself actually said last week when he stated, "I've got my fingers crossed for hopefully next week against [Atlanta]." Arians also went on to address the notion of whether or not Brown would have been placed on the injured reserve list had the franchise known the true extent of the injury. Arians simply answered "possibly."

Initially it had been reported that doctors expected Brown's recovery to take approximately six weeks. In the end however, six weeks have in fact past and it would seem that Brown is still not ready to return.

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Antonio Brown by the numbers

Though the wide receiver has only featured in just five games this season, he has had 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Last year, Brown had 93 receiving yards and a touchdown while playing against the Falcons in Week 15. His performance that night marked a shift in the Bucs' season, as they went on to overcome a 24-7 deficit. It was in fact Brown himself who sealed the victory 46-yard touchdown.