NFL Allows Antonio Brown To Play This Week

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The NFL won't place Patriots receiver Antonio Brown on the commissioner's exempt list, according to ESPN, clearing the way for him to play this Sunday against Miami if the team wants him to. The Patriots have already said they would let the NFL make the decision on Brown's eligibility.

Asked Friday if Brown would play Sunday, coach Bill Belichick said, "We'll do what's best for the team."

The NFL will allow it. The commissioner's exempt list is a sort of paid leave the league puts players on while a legal process plays out. But since the charges aren't criminal and the league hasn't been able to investigate the accusations yet, Brown will be eligible to play this Sunday — though that could change in following weeks. ESPN reported the league is expected to meet with Brown's accuser next week.

Brown has been practicing this week with the Patriots, first hitting the field one day after he was accused of raping his former trainer in a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday night in the Southern District of Florida. Brown has denied the charges through his attorney, who said sex between the two was consensual and the woman is looking to make money off the All-Pro receiver.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to say whether Brown would play Sunday during a testy press conference Wednesday, walking off the podium as reporters peppered him with questions.

Brown would be joining a team that routed his former club, the Pittsburgh Steelers, 33-3 last Sunday night. New England's opponents, the Dolphins, are expected to be the worst team in the league and did nothing to dispel that in their first game.

Brown, 31, is wildly talented, but comes with a lot of baggage. His just completed arguably the most prolific six-year stretches by a receiver in NFL history during his time with Pittsburgh. The production didn't stop the Steelers from trading him to the Raiders in the offseason.

Brown never played a down in Oakland. He was released Saturday following a string of bizarre behavior.

New England agreed to a contract with the receiver hours after he was released. Brown's antics included saying he was injured after not using the correct footwear during cryotherapy; not practicing with the team and reportedly threatening to retire due to the NFL banning the old helmet model he used; getting into a heated altercation with Oakland's general manager; posting a video online that included a private conversation between he and his coach; and finally demanding the team release him. His antics cost him $30 million in guaranteed money.