Report: Antonio Brown won't be put on commissioner's exempt list, eligible for Week 2
Antonio Brown will be eligible to make his first start for the New England Patriots this weekend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday.
At this point, NFL will not place Antonio Brown on commissioner exempt list, as there is no criminal investigation, making him eligible to play Sunday vs. Miami, per sources. NFL has opened its investigation, which will include interviews with Antonio Brown and his accuser.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2019
Brown could have been placed on the list and made ineligible for the Patriots game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. The news did not rule out the possibility that Brown at some point would be placed on the list, which was an option when the league found out about a civil suit filed by Brown’s former trainer.
Britney Taylor accused Brown of sexual assault and rape over three separate incidents. She is reportedly scheduled to meet with the league investigators next week. Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes the NFL is in an “exceedingly difficult position of producing a home-grown investigation.” Since it is a civil suit and not a criminal one, it might be one of the more difficult cases the NFL has handled.
Brown has denied the allegations in a statement from his lawyer and after a 48-hour break returned to social media Thursday with a video from Tom Brady’s training center. He practiced with the team for the first time this week after officially signing with the Patriots on Monday. Coach Bill Belichick cut off questions about the receiver quickly during a presser Wednesday and said they’re taking it “one day at a time” when asked if Brown will play.
As of now, Brown is eligible to play but there is much conversation over if the Patriots should actually put him on the field or not.
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