Free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown has spent 14 weeks on the sidelines after the New England Patriots released him amid a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and rape. Now, another Super Bowl contender may give him another chance.
According to multiple media reports, Brown is expected to visit the New Orleans Saints on Friday.
While the Saints are free to sign Brown, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that if Brown were to sign with a team, he would likely be placed on Commissioner's Exempt list. That would mean he would be ineligible to play until the NFL completes an investigation into the sexual assault allegations against Brown.
Brown spent nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers were he developed into one of the most talented wide receivers in the league. During his time with Pittsburgh, Brown caught 74 touchdowns and totaled more than 11,000 receiving yards.
The Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders in March after a number of high-profile confrontations with QB Ben Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin.
Brown spent training camp in Oakland, where he suffered a frostbite injury to his feet during a cryotherapy session and threatened to retire because the league would not allow him to wear his preferred helmet model. Brown then requested his release from the Raiders on social media just hours before Oakland's first game of 2019.
The New England Patriots signed Brown the day before its first game in September. Brown appeared in one game for the Patriots, a week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins where he caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots released Brown days after the 43-0 win over Miami after the sexual assault lawsuit against Brown went public.
The Saints (12-3) have already clinched a playoff spot and the NFC South Championship.
