Nobody expected Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown to miss six weeks when he injured his ankle/foot against the Eagles in Week 6. Brown briefly left that game to receive treatment on the sideline, but returned to catch nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Bucs originally announced Brown’s injury as a sprained ankle. But ten days ago, head coach Bruce Arians made it clear the injury had layers to it.

“He’s got a bone spur that aggravated it,” Arians said. “He was out of the boot (Wednesday). He was doing some walking exercises. We’ll see how that goes.”

That was last week. Since then, Brown seems to have made considerable progress. On Thursday he was seen on the practice field in shoulder pads and a helmet. That seemed to indicate a return to practice, especially after Brown ran a few routes with Tom Brady. But the Bucs continued to hold the receiver out, culminating in Arians ruling him out for Week 11 on Saturday.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown is improving and could return against the Colts next Sunday.

Brown has 29 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns in just five games this season. Tyler Johnson has been filling in for the All-Pro receiver, catching 17 passes for 208 yards and zero scores. The Bucs could also get Scotty Miller back in the next few days. The speedy receiver has been on injured reserve since Week 3 with a foot injury.

The Bucs host the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 11.