Report: Antonio Brown Will Not Be Put On Commissioner's Exempt List; Eligible To Play Vs. Dolphins
BOSTON (CBS) -- Antonio Brown will not be placed on the commissioner's exempt list this week, making the receiver eligible to make his Patriots debut Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was first to report that the NFL will not place Brown on the commissioner's list early Friday morning. According to Schefter, the NFL has opened their investigation on the sexual assault claims against Brown by his former trainer. In a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday, Brown was accused of sexually assaulting his former trainer, Britney Taylor, on three occasions in 2017 and 2018. Brown has denied the claims.
At this point, NFL will not place Antonio Brown on commissioner exempt list, as there is no criminal investigation, making him eligible to play Sunday vs. Miami, per sources. NFL has opened its investigation, which will include interviews with Antonio Brown and his accuser.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2019
Brown has practiced with his new team all week and now it's up to Bill Belichick whether or not he plays on Sunday against the Dolphins. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Brown is preparing to play in Miami.
According to a report by ESPN, the Patriots were unaware of the sexual assault claims when they signed Brown last weekend because Brown and Taylor agreed to keep their communication confidential.