During a press conference at Gillette Stadium on Friday, Bill Belichick wouldn’t bring clarity to Antonio Brown’s status for the New England Patriots’ Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
The coach refused to answer questions about Brown, who joined the Patriots on Saturday just before his former trainer filed a civil suit alleging Brown sexually assaulted her. It has been a tumultuous few months for Brown. Still, he should be eligible to play on Sunday, as the NFL reportedly doesn’t intend to put him on the commissioner’s exempt list. Browns is also reportedly preparing to play. But will he?
“We’ll do what’s best for the team,” the coach said.
Will it be best for the team to have Antonio play?
“We’ll determine that,” Belichick said. “I’m not going to hand out a copy of the game plan here.”
Brown joined the Patriots after playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 and the Oakland Raiders for training camp in 2019. Brown was barely present for the Raiders’ camp due to foot problems and a helmet grievance, which led to fines and a strained relationship between Brown and the organization. Ultimately, the Raiders released him.
Brown practiced with the Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday. If he suited up on Sunday, he’d take the field with receivers Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon and Phillip Dorsett, among others.
