Antonio Brown Still Not Practicing Due To Helmet Issue, Raiders Want To Know If He’s ‘All-In Or All-Out’

Raiders GM Mike Mayock told reporters on Sunday that WR Antonio Brown is not at practice because he’s still upset about the helmet issue.

“You all know that A.B. is not here today. So here’s the bottom line. He’s upset about the helmet issue. We have supported that. We appreciate that. But at this point, we’ve pretty much exhausted all avenues of relief. So, from our perspective, it’s time for him to be all-in or all-out. We’re hoping he’s back soon. We’ve 89 guys busting their tails. We are really excited about where this franchise is going and we hope A.B.is going to be a big part of it starting Week 1 against Denver. End of story, no questions. Ok? Just wanted you guys to know where we were” Mayock said, per Vic Tafur.

Mayock didn’t take any questions beyond making this comment, so it’s clear that they want this matter to be behind them. 

Brown lost his grievance against the NFL, although the league did say he could still use his preferred Schutt AiR Advantage helmet if he can locate one that fits him and is less than 10 years old. 

However, Tom Peliserro reports that the NFL and NFLPA have worked hand in hand on Brown’s helmet issue. On Monday night, the two parties jointly said the helmet Brown located would be tested at the same lab in Ottawa as other helmets. Unfortunately for Brown, it failed and the NFL and NFLPA engineers agreed that it may not be worn.

Beyond that, Pelissero says Brown has exhausted his CBA appeal options and the only move he would have left is to sue and try to get an injunction.

Brown, 31, is a former sixth-round pick of the Steelers back in 2010. He was in the third year of his five-year, $72.71 million contract when the Steelers traded him to the Raiders back in March. 

The Raiders later signed Brown to a new contract worth $50.125 million and includes $30.125 million guaranteed.  

In 2018, Brown appeared in 15 games for the Steelers and caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 26 receiver out of 117 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Brown as the news is available.