After a sideline outburst and exit of MetLife Stadium, Antonio Brown is no longer a Buc. The troubled wide receiver blew up on Sunday, during the third quarter of the Bucs 28-24 victory over the Jets. According to a number of reports, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians asked Brown to re-enter the game during Tampa Bay’s second possession of the second half. But Brown refused, then exploded and exited the sideline.

On Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Brown felt he was too injured to play. That was news to Arians, who appeared confused when asked about Brown’s injury on Monday.

“I don’t know that he was (injured),” Arians said.

Did Brown tell you that he was injured?

“No,” Arians said. “No.”

Can you tell us more about what happened?

“Not really,” Arians said. “It was pretty obvious what happened. He left the field and that was it.”

Because, of course, it was actually not obvious at all, more questions were directed to Arians.

Former Bucs WR Antonio Brown – FOX

Did you tell Brown to leave, or did he leave on his own accord?

“We had a conversation and he left the field, yeah,” Arians said.

How hard was it for you to make the decision to let him go?

“Yeah, it was very hard,” Arians said. “I wish him well. I hope, if he needs help, he gets some. But it’s very hard. Because I do care about him.”

Did you have a conversation with Brown before your decision to move on without him?

“No,” Arians said. “Once he left the field I never saw him.”

So the conversation with Brown was not one regarding his ankle injury?

“No,” Arians said, confirming that the All-Pro receiver didn’t mention an injury to the Bucs head coach.

What did Brown object to that made him want to leave the stadium during the game?

“You’d have to ask him, brother,” Arians said. “I don’t have a clue.”

Was there any displeasure on the part of the Bucs for the way Brown handled his ankle recovery? The 33-year old missed nine games with an ankle sprain and a 3-game suspension this year.

“No, none whatsoever,” Arians said. “He was cleared to play last week, played good. Cleared to play this week.”

Rapoport also reported that there were precipitating moments that led to Brown’s dismissal on Sunday. When asked about that, Arians disagreed vehemently.

Former Bucs WR Antonio Brown – Photo by: USA Today

“No, none whatsoever,” Arians said. “Like I said, I care about him a bunch. I hope that he’s ok.”

The Bucs head coach also made it clear that no communication occurred with Brown or his representation after the game. Arians will leave the decision up to GM Jason Licht as to how the team handles Brown’s dismissal. He could be placed on a list until the end of the season, or cut outright.

“I have no regrets,” Arians said. “I just hope the best for him.”

In a last ditch effort to get more information from Arians, he was asked if he could share the conversation that prompted Brown to leave the sideline. But the Bucs shot caller refused.

“No, not at all,” Arians said.

With Brown gone and Chris Godwin on injured reserve, the Bucs are hurting at wide receiver. Mike Evans will anchor the group, surrounded by relatively unproductive and unproven players. Cyril Grayson, Breshad Perriman and Tyler Johnson will need to step up. Scotty Miller could also end up being postseason factor yet again in 2022.

The Bucs finish the regular season Sunday against the Panthers at 4:25 pm EST.