Suspended WR Brown to sign with Buccaneers
Free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown agreed to a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, ESPN reported.
While contract language still has to be finalized and Brown must pass COVID-19 protocols before he can join the team, the four-time All-pro likely will make his Buccaneers debut in Week 9.
In July, the NFL suspended Brown eight games without pay because of multiple personal conduct policy violations. The 32-year-old will be eligible to come off suspension after Week 8.
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady had been pushing for the team to sign Brown since the summer. Brady took Brown under his wing during Brown’s New England tenure. Brown had four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown in his lone game for the Patriots last season before they released him.
Coach Bruce Arians worked with Brown while he was Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator and had been critical of Brown. Arians last year said Brown was “too much of a diva” and said as recently as March that Brown wasn’t a fit on the Bucs.
■ Washington: Coach Ron Rivera will have his last skin cancer treatment Monday, two months after being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The 58-year-old missed practice but no games while undergoing treatments, received IV fluids at halftime of games and has been told his long-term prognosis is good. Also, the team fined quarterback Dwayne Haskins $4,833 for breaking virus protocols by making a reservation for a family friend at the team hotel last weekend.
■ Saints: Emmanuel Sanders tested positive for COVID-19, and fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas remained unable to practice because of a hamstring injury. Neither will play Sunday. Thomas, who set an NFL record with 149 catches last season, hasn’t played since the season opener, when he sustained a high ankle sprain.
■ Cardinals: Linebacker Markus Golden was acquired from the New York Giants for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick. The 29-year-old played his first four NFL seasons with Arizona before signing with the Giants in 2019, when he had a team-high 10½ sacks. His playing time decreased in 2020 under a new coaching staff.
■ 49ers: Safeties Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) were ruled out for Sunday, running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (calf ) is questionable after being sidelined in Week 6.
■ Packers: The status of running back Aaron Jones (questionable, calf ), who was hurt in practice, will be a game-time call, coach Matt LaFleur said. Also, left offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (chest) is doubtful and tight end Robert Tonyan (ankle) questionable for Sunday.
■ Eagles: Wide receiver Desean Jackson (ankle) was placed on injured reserve, and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (biceps) will miss the rest of the season.
■ Jets: Quarterback Sam Darnold (questionable, shoulder), sidelined the past two weeks, is expected to start Sunday, coach Adam Gase said.
■ Browns: Tight end Austin Hooper (appendicitis) was ruled out for Sunday and also could be sidelined in Week 8.
■ Panthers: Kicker Joey Slye was activated from the reserve/ COVID-19 list.
■ Bengals: Running back Joe Mixon (foot) was ruled out for Sunday.