Bruce Arians Says No Decision Made on Antonio Brown's Future After Fake Vaccine Card

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has yet to make any determination regarding the future of wide receiver Antonio Brown with the team.

Following the NFL handing Brown a three-game suspension for misrepresenting his vaccination status Thursday, Arians said Friday that he will address Brown when his suspension ends, per Greg Auman of The Athletic.

The NFL suspended Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards for three games as well for the same reason.

Brown's suspension came on the heels of his former personal chef, Steven Ruiz, saying last month that Brown had acquired a fake vaccination card.

Prior to the start of the 2021 season, the Buccaneers announced that all players on the team had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Per ESPN, Brown and Edwards are now vaccinated and admitted wrongdoing to the NFL.

Since neither player has appealed the suspension, they will be eligible to return to action on Dec. 26 against the Carolina Panthers.

Brown has missed the Bucs' past five games with an ankle injury and was set to miss Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons even before the suspension.

While Brown has appeared in only five games this season, he has been highly productive when healthy, reeling in 29 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns.

Brown was among the NFL's best wideouts over his first nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2010-18, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and four First Team All-Pro selections.

The Steelers traded Brown to the Raiders before the 2019 season, but he never played a game for the team because of disciplinary issues. The veteran appeared in one game for the New England Patriots in 2019, but he was then released amid a lawsuit from his former trainer alleging he sexually assaulted her multiple times. Brown eventually settled the suit in April. 

Brown signed with Tampa during the 2020 season and went on to record 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. He also performed well during the playoffs, as Tampa went on to win the Super Bowl.

Although the 33-year-old is more of a luxury than a necessity for the Bucs since they already have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at wide receiver, he has been a favorite target of quarterback Tom Brady.

Arians' comments suggest it isn't guaranteed Brown will have a spot on the team when his suspension ends, but he would provide a sizable boost to the Tampa offense shortly before the postseason.