Report: Antonio Brown not expected to be with Raiders for Week 1

The Antonio Brown situation with his Oakland Raiders took another turn on Thursday with reports surfacing that the organization plans to suspend the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.

Said suspension would stem from an altercation Brown got into the day before with Raiders general manager Mike Mayock.

As the Raiders prepare for their season opener against the Denver Broncos Monday night, this report from NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport suggests that Brown will not be with the team.

Sources: The #Raiders are not planning to have WR Antonio Brown for Week 1. It’s not clear if it’s a suspension or if he’ll be merely inactive. But those are their plans. He likely will stay away from the team.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019

As Rapoport notes, it’s not clear if it’s going to be an official suspension or simply Oakland’s way of keeping the embattled receiver away from the team.

Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also opened up about the drama.

.@StaceyDales on with @RosenhausSports live on @nflnetwork: “Not a lot is clear yet, other than the Raiders said AB should stay home today. We haven’t heard anything about a potential decision yet… We’re trying to work through this. The goal is to work everything out."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019

Agent Drew Rosenhaus on @nflnetwork says “our goal is to salvage this relationship.” … “There is two sides to every story. My job is to bring everything back, try and get things worked out. Thats’ what I’m working on right now. … He says nothing is final."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 5, 2019

Suggestions are that the Raiders may look to recoup the $30.13 million in guaranteed cash they handed Browns in an extension after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Steelers back in March. The only way this can be done is by suspending Brown under the guise of conduct detrimental to the team.

We promise to hear a whole lot more on this story in the coming hours and days. For now, Brown will not be with the Raiders as they host Denver in their final regular season home opener in Oakland before moving to Las Vegas.