Buccaneers: No need to rush back Antonio Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is still in a walking boot as of Monday. While they would love to have him back, there’s no need for the Buccaneers to rush back the star receiver.

The injury bug bites every team in the NFL, but sometimes it seems like it has more of a hunger for certain teams that just can’t be satisfied. So far in 2021, the Bucs have been one of those teams.

Fortunately, they have Tom Brady at quarterback, not to mention an embarrassment of riches scattered throughout the roster, so coming out of the bye they are still sitting pretty at 6-2. Sometimes, the worst thing a team can do is rush a player back from injury before he’s ready, and that’s the last thing that this team needs right now.

That being said, Brown is the perfect example of this. He is still in a walking boot after a couple weeks, which leads many to believe that he still has not fully healed. Granted, there is something commendable and to be said about playing hurt, but in this case there’s no need.

Going back to the aforementioned embarrassment of riches, the Buccaneers have been blessed with three legitimate number one wide receivers in AB, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin. With AB sidelined, the Bucs still have the latter two options, and the offense has not exactly missed many beats his absence.

Now that’s not an indictment on the talent or quality of Browns play, it is simply a reflection on just how deep this roster truly is, especially at the wide receiver position. When it comes to passing targets, we haven’t even mentioned the tight ends. So, that’s just another avenue Brady can travel down on his historical 2021 journey.

At the end of the day, obviously the Buccaneers would love to have AB back as soon as possible, and would be better off with him back. The thing is, the NFL season is never a sprint, but a marathon. The team needs to think long term, and taking their time and not rushing back Antonio Brown is the best approach.