Huge news has surfaced in the NFL regarding the Bucs. Wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards have each been suspended for three games by the league for misrepresenting their vaccination status under the NFL and NFLPA’s COVID-19 protocols, per Ian Rapoport.

Free agent wide receiver Jonathan Franklin, who was with the Bucs last season and in training camp this year, was suspended as well.

This comes off the heels of a report by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times two weeks ago in which a former chef of Brown claimed the receiver tried to obtain a fake vaccination card. The Bucs released a statement at the time saying that there were no irregularities in any player’s vaccination card. Brown’s lawyer issued a statement that the receiver was vaccinated as well. Edwards was not linked at all to the original story.

Brown was not expected to play for at least the next two weeks due to an ankle and heel injury, but his future status of the team could be in question given the history of his other off-the-field incidents. The loss of Edwards for the next three games is an immediate impact to the Bucs, as he’s made a number of plays on defense to help create turnovers and get stops. Most recently, Edwards forced a fumble against the Colts and made a touchdown-saving tackle on the kickoff with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Both players have waived their right to an appeal and will be suspended without pay for the next three weeks. The Bucs next three opponents are on the road against the Falcons, at home versus the Bills and home again for a divisional game against the Saints. Brown and Edwards can return in Week 16 for a December 26th game versus the Panthers on the road.

The Bucs released a statement following the suspensions, which you can read below.