Antonio Brown Will Play For New England Patriots

New England Patriots Antonio Brown will play in Sunday afternoon's game in Miami. Brown, who signed with the team Tuesday, practiced during the week amid controversy.

Brown faces sexual assault and rape charges in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by his ex-trainer in the Southern District of Florida. Brown, through his attorney, has denied the charges. His attorney said their sex was consensual and his accuser is making a financial play.

ESPN reported Sunday morning that Brown last week refused to sign a $2 million settlement to avoid the lawsuit.

The NFL is allowing Brown to play while it looks into the situation. He was not placed on the commissioner's exempt list — a type of paid leave — in part because the charges are not criminal and the league has not completed an investigation. The NFL is reportedly scheduled to talk to his accuser Monday.

Brown, 31, was released by the Oakland Raiders eight days ago after demanding on Instagram they cut him. The Raiders, who had put up with a bizarre string of behavior that included a helmet controversy and a heated confrontation with the team's general manager leading up to the release, saved $30 million in what would have been guaranteed money.

Brown recouped some of that when he signed a one-year deal with a one-year, $10.5 million with New England. There is a $20 million team option for 2020.

Brown is coming off one of the most prolific six-year stretches for a receiver in NFL history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh, fed up with Brown's antics at the end, traded him to Oakland in the offseason, but he never played a down for the Raiders.