HEADLINE

WR Brown rejoins Raiders after helmet grievance

Field Level Media

August 13, 2019 at 11:54 pm.

Oakland Raiders wideout Antonio Brown returned to training camp Tuesday in Napa, Calif., one day after losing his helmet grievance with the NFL.

Brown had not been with the team since he left practice early on July 30.

The 31-year-old veteran had sought permission to wear his old helmet, which is no longer certified.

“We’re working with the NFL in regards to the helmet,” Brown told reporters. “I’ll be making sure I put on the right equipment-approved helmet and be ready to go shortly … We’re working with the NFL to make sure we’re following all the right procedures.”

Pro Football Talk reported Monday that the NFL will let Brown wear his preferred Schutt Air Advantage helmet if he can find one that is less than 10 years old.

On Tuesday, Brown turned to Twitter for help locating one. “I’m looking for a Schutt Air Advantage Adult Large Helmet that was manufactured in 2010 or after. In exchange I will trade a signed practice worn @Raiders helmet,” he posted.

Brown remains out of practice because of blistering feet, the result of a frostbite mishap during cryogenic therapy.

“I feel a lot better. Working towards 100 percent,” he said.

“It’s been a process with the feet. Anytime you got a lot of blisters, it’s hard to change direction, cut and run and be able to do what I do naturally. I’m starting off on a good foot. I’ve been away getting a lot of work. I’m excited to just move forward.”

Coach Jon Gruden said he was unsure when Brown would practice but expressed confidence the receiver would play in the season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 9.

“Obviously it’s great to have him back,” Gruden said on NFL.com. “We’ve had a pretty good understanding — in spite of what people think — of what’s going to happen. Now we’re ready to get rolling.”

The Raiders acquired the seven-time Pro Bowl selection from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade in March and later signed him to a three-year, $50.125 million contract.

He caught at least 100 passes and exceeded 1,200 receiving yards in each of the past six seasons with the Steelers. He appeared in 130 games with Pittsburgh from 2010-18, catching 837 passes for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns.