TAMPA (Fla.) -- Coach Bruce Arians has ruled wide receiver Antonio Brown out of Sunday's match against the Chicago Bears because of an ankle injury.
Brown missed practice this week due to a sprained ankle that he sustained in the Bucs' 28-22 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Sunday's extra rest was not enough.
After missing Week 3 due to COVID-19, this will be Brown's second missed game of the season. Brown's 418 yards of receiving are second on the team, 2 yards behind Mike Evans and 9 yards more than Chris Godwin. Tyler Johnson, a second-year wide receiver, will likely take Brown's place.
"Tyler did a great job. "Everyone has a lot confidence in Tyler," Tom Brady, quarterback, said. He does a great job here, whenever he has the chance. He's also made many plays in games. He's not overwhelmed by it and I believe he has a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. It's up to us to continue to improve together.
The Bucs will be without Rob Gronkowski at tight end, as he continues to recover from a broken rib, inside linebacker Lavonte Dave, who is still recovering from a low ankle injury, and Richard Sherman at cornerback, who has a pulled muscle.
Arians stated earlier in the week he had "put his fingers on" David's return.
After suffering shoulder and hand injuries, Jason Pierre-Paul, outside linebacker, will be evaluated.
Arians reported that safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has cleared the concussion protocol after suffering a concussion during Week 4 at New England Patriots. He missed the previous two games and will now be active Sunday. This means the Bucs will have three out of five original defensive backs (Winfield Jr. Jordan Whitehead, Jamel Dean) playing Sunday.
A win Sunday would make the Bucs 6-1, their best start in franchise history.
