Free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown sparked media attention Friday morning after posting a picture of a tryout waiver for the New Orleans Saints with the message “back to business” on his personal Instagram account.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news and multiple outlets have since confirmed that Brown is in New Orleans, where the Saints are “doing their due diligence.”
Brown, 31, has been out of the league since September following his release by the New England Patriots after a lawsuit citing sexual abuse allegations was filed. The league has spoken with Brown as part of its investigation into those allegations, but there has been no disciplinary action as of yet.
While the seven-time Pro-Bowler is not currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, the NFL did state earlier this season that, “If he is signed by a club, such placement may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation.” That means Brown would not see the field until the matter had been cleared up.
Brown, who spent his first nine seasons in the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a much-publicized 2019 campaign that included just one football game. After signing with the Oakland Raiders in March, the embattled veteran didn’t make it to Week 1 with the squad.
The Patriots signed him after he was granted a release from the Raiders, but Brown played only one game with the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 2 before being released following the abuse allegations.
In 10 NFL seasons, Brown has 841 catches for 11,263 yards and 75 touchdowns.
Schefter also reported Friday that along with Brown, the Saints are working out a group of players that includes former Washington Redskins wideout Maurice Harris, as head coach Sean Payton is keen to compile an updated receivers list for the playoffs.
