AB threatens he will retire

Anyone who thought Antonio Brown was done with drama after leaving Pittsburgh was sorely mistaken.

The ex-Steeler and current Oakland Raiders receiver is now threatening to retire if he isn’t allowed to wear a specific type of helmet this season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Friday, Brown filed a “helmet grievance” against the NFL. An NFL rules change bars Brown from wearing the type of helmet he has worn his whole career, according to Schefter’s ESPN story. The issue appears to be that his preferred helmet is no longer certified by the National Operating Committee for Standards and Athletic Equipment. NFL rules mandate helmets worn by its players must be certified by the NOCSAE.

The Raiders, according to Schefter, are “aware and supportive of Antonio Brown, but [have] no further comment.” In March, Brown said “I don’t even have to play football if I don’t want. I don’t even need the game.”

A report earlier this week claimed Brown already had gone “radio silent” with the Raiders, who also are apparently in the dark about how his frostbitten foot is healing. Brown reportedly contracted frostbite due to not wearing proper footware inside a cryogenic chamber.

Browns

The NFL suspended Cleveland wide receiver Antonio Callaway for four games without pay Friday for an unspecified violation of the league’s policy and program on substance abuse. Callaway will sit out the first four regular-season games. The 22-year-old can practice and play in preseason games before his suspension begins. He will be eligible to return to the Browns’ active roster Sept. 30.

Colts

Indianapolis is taking no chances with starting quarterback Andrew Luck or veteran placekicker Adam Vinatieri. Coach Frank Reich said Friday he expects Luck will miss at least three more practices with a strained left calf, and team officials later acknowledged Vinatieri, 46, has a knee injury that is not expected to keep him out for long.