Report: Antonio Brown Wouldn't Be Able to Play in Wild-Card Game Due to Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is reportedly not expected to be cleared to play in the wild-card round of the playoffs if his team doesn't secure a first-round bye, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

However, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport later reported Brown is expected to be 100 percent for the playoffs, whether the Steelers have a first-round bye or not. 

He's continuing to recover from a partially torn calf muscle.

Brown, the NFL's leader in receptions and yards through the first 14 weeks of the season, went down in the first quarter of a Week 15 game against the New England Patriots with the calf injury.

"Even in adversity I can't help but feel blessed," Brown tweeted at the time. "Thanks to everyone who reached out. This is a minor setback for me but not this team. The goal is still the same & I'm confident that we can & will achieve it."

The Steelers are currently in the driver's seat for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs, but they'll need some help to secure it in Week 16.

As things stand, the AFC North champions needs to beat the Houston Texans on Monday and hope the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the San Francisco 49ers if they want to rest easy in Week 17.