Antonio Brown injury update: Will Buccaneers’ receiver play vs. Packers in NFC championship?

Just one of the Buccaneers’ top offensive gamers is at risk of lacking the NFC championship activity in opposition to the Packers on Sunday.

Large receiver Antonio Brown limped through significantly of the divisional round with a knee injury and had an MRI on Monday afternoon, according to ESPN. Final results of the test have not nonetheless been introduced.

Brown’s devastating bursts on shorter routes make him an essential element of quarterback Tom Brady’s activity strategy. Opponents need to account for him in the vicinity of the line of scrimmage although also shielding from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sprinting previous the secondary to haul in deep balls. Without the need of him in the lineup, an full dimension of a potent attack would be hampered.

Coach Bruce Arians declined to speculate on the severity of Brown’s injury soon after Tampa Bay defeat New Orleans this previous weekend.

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Godwin has been plagued by drops this month soon after remaining positive-handed in the course of the common year. In most likely frigid situations at Lambeau Subject, that issue could possibly be magnified. Brown has appeared in twelve playoff games in his profession and caught 62.1 percent of his targets — improved than Godwin’s amount of 47.4 percent in a constrained sample size.

Brady did join with unheralded receivers late in the gain over the Saints, generating crucial completions to Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson. They would just take on a greater purpose if Brown was constrained relocating forward.

Moreover, Brady can often seem to dependable tight finish Rob Gronkowski — one particular of his beloved teammates and another tested playoff competitor.

The Buccaneers are 7-three in games Brown has participated in this year.