Super Bowl 2021: Buccaneers expect Antonio Brown to return for big game after injury, report says

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were initially optimistic that Antonio Brown would be on the field for Sunday’s NFC Championship game. But despite the early optimism, Brown’s lingering knee injury ultimately held him back from the Buccaneers’ 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers.

While Brown must have missed Sunday’s game, the Buccaneers expect the former All-Pro receiver to be back in the Super Bowl LV roster, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Brown has just under two weeks to heal for the game, which takes place in Tampa Bay on February 7.

Brown appeared to suffer from the injury in the second half of the Buccaneers’ playoff win over the Saints. Brown, who spent most of the final moments of that game on the sidelines, underwent an MRI on Monday. He didn’t train the week before the NFC title game. In Brown’s absence, the Buccaneers were still capable of shooting for 280 yards and three touchdowns against the Green Bay defense. Chris Godwin led the Buccaneers with five catches for 110 yards. Mike Evans caught three assists that included the game’s first touchdown. Compatriot Scott Miller’s 39-yard touchdown catch just before halftime gave the Buccaneers a 21-10 lead in intermission.

After serving an eight-game suspension, Brown signed with the Buccaneers on October 25. In eight regular season games, Brown caught 45 of 62 targets for 483 yards and four touchdowns. He caught his fifth career playoff touchdown assist in Tampa Bay’s playoff win in Washington. If the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV, Brown would receive a bonus of $ 750,000 as part of his contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Regardless of what happens in the Super Bowl, the Buccaneers are already interested in Brown’s return for the 2021 season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Buccaneers currently signed Tom Brady during Season 21, while Brady signed a two-year contract with the club last offseason.

As Brady searches for his seventh Super Bowl ring, Brown is hoping to win his first ring. Another member of the NFL All-2010s team, Brown lost his only Super Bowl appearance, as Pittsburgh fell at Green Bay during Brown’s rookie season.