Antonio Brown won’t be suiting up for the Raiders in Week 1, but no suspension is currently confirmed, according to his agent and NFL Network reports.
After reports about an altercation between Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock went public on Thursday, there has been copious speculation about what the Raiders might do with their talented, expensive and problematic player.
While nothing long-term has been revealed, we do know this: Brown won’t be playing in the Raiders’ Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on Monday night. This is according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who tweeted Thursday that “The #Raiders are not planning to have WR Antonio Brown for Week 1.”
Sources: The #Raiders are not planning to have WR Antonio Brown for Week 1. It’s not clear if it’s a suspension or if he’ll be merely inactive. But those are their plans. He likely will stay away from the team.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019
As noted, it’s unclear if Brown is under suspension or will simply be labeled as “inactive” for Monday’s game. Brown won’t be with the Raiders during his time off, however.
NFL Network also spoke with Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who doesn’t yet know what the Raiders’ plan for Brown is moving forward.
Drew Rosenhaus, Antonio Browns’ agent, on NFL Network right now:
— Sean Wagner-McGough (@seanjwagner) September 5, 2019
“Not a lot is clear yet. Other than that the Raiders said that AB should stay home today. They’re trying to work through the relationship with him. We haven’t heard anything about a potential decision yet.”
He does, however, believe that the relationship between Brown and the Raiders can be salvaged, saying (via Rapoport), “There is two sides to every story. My job is to bring everything back, try and get things worked out.”
Agent Drew Rosenhaus on @nflnetwork says “our goal is to salvage this relationship.” … “There is two sides to every story. My job is to bring everything back, try and get things worked out. Thats’ what I’m working on right now. … He says nothing is final."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019
Rosenhaus added, “My hope is there isn’t a suspension and I’m not aware of any as of yet. I’m working with them to try to and avoid this scenario.”
Agent Drew Rosenhaus on @nflnetwork: “I’m confident we can get back to doing all the right things that the Raiders signed him for … My hope is there isn’t a suspension and I’m not aware of any as of yet. I’m working with them to try to and avoid this scenario."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019
As noted, a suspension or other punishment for conduct detrimental to the team could be enough to void nearly $30 million in Brown’s contract guarantees and would essentially end his time with the Raiders before playing a single game for his new team. But if that’s the plan, the Raiders aren’t going public with it. Both Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden declined to discuss Brown when meeting with the media earlier on Thursday.
While the Raiders were well aware of Brown’s penchant for creating and stoking drama, things clearly have gotten out of hand over the course of the summer. Now, things have spilled over into arguments — or worse — with the general manager, and the Raiders have a decision to make about the relationship moving forward.
But Brown isn’t in the Raiders’ Week 1 plans as of now; whether he’s not in Week 2, or permanently, is yet to be seen.