Bucs' Antonio Brown Using Crutch, Has No Timeline for Return from Ankle Injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown was seen at practice Wednesday using a crutch and has no timetable to return from an ankle injury that cost him Week 7's win over the Chicago Bears.

Bucs coach Bruce Arians told reporters Brown's sprain is near his heel, and he could sit out even beyond the team's Week 9 bye.

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Brown has been playing at a Pro Bowl-caliber form when in the lineup, posting 29 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns in five games. He previously missed a game in Week 3 after being diagnosed with COVID-19. 

The passing game didn't miss a beat without Brown in last week's win over the Bears, with Tom Brady throwing for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin got the overwhelming majority of targets, a trend that will likely continue with Brown out of the lineup.

Rob Gronkowski will likely step into the third spot in the pecking order when he returns from a rib injury that's cost him the last four games.

Second-year wideout Tyler Johnson played 49 snaps in Week 7 and will continue playing Brown's role in offensive sets.