Bucs’ WR Antonio Brown Out for NFC Championship Game vs. Packers

Antonio Brown. Photo by AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Tom Brady will have one less weapon to rely on in the upcoming NFC Championship game against Green Bay Packers.

According to Bucs’ head coach Bruce Arians, veteran wideout Antonio Brown failed to recover enough from his knee injury and is ruled out for Sunday.

Brown got injured in last week’s win over New Orleans Saints, being limited to just 27 snaps. The Bucs’ were initially optimistic about his return, but after the 32-year-old player failed to practice the entire week, Arians decided not to take any risks.

“We wish he could be out there with us,” said Brady. “Other guys are gonna have to step up and do the job. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the guys that haven’t been out there as much when AB’s been in there.”

Antonio Brown was Tampa Bay’s No.3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this season, so his absence might not be such a big deal for the Buccaneers. Also, second-year player Scotty Miller and rookie Tyler Johnson have shown up in recent games, and Arians seem convinced they could step up to the task.

After being out of the league for more than a year, Brown signed with the Buccaneers in October. He played in the team’s final eight games of the regular season, contributing with 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

In two postseason games for the Bucs, Brown had three catches for 59 yards and one score.