Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown is not only one of the more impressive receivers in training camp this year, he’s been one of the most impressive players on the entire team at the AdventHealth Training Center. The reason? It’s not just growing more comfortable running routes in Bruce Arians’ offense or catching more passes from Tom Brady and growing that connection.

It’s because Brown had offseason knee injury in May and is feeling better than ever.

Arians spent a few moments after Monday’s practice discussing the health of the 33-year old receiver, stating that Brown has had an issue with his knee dating back to his days in Pittsburgh.

“This is the healthiest he’s been in a few years,” Arians said. “He probably needed that procedure and he wouldn’t do it. That first (surgery) is always tough. It’s amazing, I was talking to Emanuel Sanders last night and that was his first surgery – ever. At his age, it’s just amazing. It’s remarkable how he takes care of himself. He’s playing at a speed that we saw four or five years ago.”

Brown, who re-signed with the Bucs in the offseason, joined Tampa Bay last November as an insurance policy at the wide receiver position, but quickly overtook Scotty Miller as the team’s third receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He finished the last eight games of season with 45 receptions for 483 yards (10.7 avg.) and four touchdowns, getting better as the season went on.

Brown caught his first touchdown as a Buccaneer in Tampa Bay’s 31-27 comeback win at Atlanta. He finished the game with five catches for 93 yards (18.6 avg.) and a TD against the Falcons before catching another touchdown pass the following week in a 47-7 win at Detroit.

Bucs WR Antonio Brown – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When Evans was out for most of the season finale against Atlanta, Brown stepped up and produced his first 100-yard game in Tampa Bay. He finished the game with 11 receptions for 138 yards (12.5 avg.) and two touchdowns in a 44-27 victory. Brown caught another touchdown at Washington in the Bucs’ 31-23 wild card win, finishing with two catches for 49 yards (24.5 avg.) and a TD.

Brown’s knee began to bother him and caused him to miss the second half of the Bucs’ 30-20 divisional win at New Orleans the following week after catching one pass for 10 yards. That knee injury also forced him to miss the NFC Championship Game win at Green Bay before returning for Super Bowl LV. Brown had five catches for 22 yards (4.6 avg.) including a contested touchdown grab right before halftime to help the Bucs extend their lead.

Now that Brown has had his knee scoped he’s feeling better and looking better. Brown has been dominant in camp and Arians has taken notice.

“It’s been bothering him for a couple of years,” Arians said. “Now it’s all clean, so it’s good.”