8:55 PM
Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards, who were both suspended for three games by the NFL for producing fake vaccinations, will be back on the team this week, according to general manager Jason Licht.
"We look forward to having them back with the team," said Licht on the radio before the game.
Neither player will be disciplined by the team. If either player were to be charged with a federal crime, it would be a third-degree felony to manufacture, possess or display a fake vaccination card.
The league office says that both players are up to date with their vaccinations.
The collective bargaining agreement allows both Brown and Edwards to work out away from the team at the Bucs' facility, so that they are ready for next Sunday's game at the Carolina Panthers, as the team tries to lock up the top seed.
Before his suspension, he led the team with three picks. The safety position has been a problem for the team, with Jordan Whitehead limited by a calf injury, and Antoine Winfield Jr. dealing with a foot injury. Cornerback Richard Sherman, who has trained at safety due to the high number of injuries at the position, is fighting an injury.
Breshad Perriman, Brown's replacement as the No. 3 receiver, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday after testing positive. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin left the game with injuries.
The offense has put up an average of 25.46 points in the plays Brown wasn't on this season as compared to an average of 13.2 points in the plays he was on the field.
When Brown signed with the Bucs in October 2020, he was told by his coach that there would be no second chances. Brown had already been suspended by the league for eight games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Britney Taylor, Brown's former trainer, had a sexual assault lawsuit against him settled out of court in April.
The team's adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, which was praised by President Joe Biden in the team's visit to the White House, was one of the reasons why the team won the Super Bowl.
All players and coaches are required to stay at the team hotel regardless of vaccine status, as part of a stricter protocol implemented by the coach.
The decision about Brown's and Edwards' future with the team was not something that was going to distract from the game, as the Bucs look to win the division title for the first time since 2007.
