Sources: NFL not inserting AB on exempt record

The NFL is not going to place New England Patriots broad receiver Antonio Brown on the commissioner’s exempt record at this level, making him eligible to play Sunday in opposition to the Miami Dolphins, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The league has opened an investigation into Brown that can embody interviews with the broad receiver and Britney Taylor, Brown’s former coach who filed a lawsuit within the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday during which she accused him of sexually assaulting her on three events in 2017 and 2018.

Taylor has scheduled a gathering with the NFL for subsequent week, a supply beforehand informed ESPN.

Sources informed Schefter that Brown will not be positioned on the exempt record, as there isn’t any legal investigation into Brown.

Requested Friday whether or not Brown would play, Patriots coach Invoice Belichick answered, “We’ll do what’s finest for the staff.” He later added that the staff is attempting to get Brown, who signed Monday, in control as rapidly as attainable.

On Thursday, sources informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Patriots and Oakland Raiders had not been conscious of the pending lawsuit in opposition to Brown, who had been in discussions with Taylor over the previous few months. They’d agreed that their communication would stay confidential till the submitting of Taylor’s sexual assault lawsuit, sources informed Fowler.

Brown’s lawyer, Darren Heitner, mentioned in an announcement Tuesday evening that his consumer and Taylor have been concerned in a “consensual private relationship.”

After the lawsuit’s submitting, the Patriots mentioned they have been taking the allegations significantly however wouldn’t remark additional throughout the NFL’s investigation.

On Wednesday, Belichick would not decide to Brown enjoying, saying the staff was taking it “everyday.” Since then, Brown has participated in two practices — with a 3rd to return later Friday — and has impressed his new teammates.

“AB is AB. Everyone knows what he brings to the desk. Excited to have him right here,” security Duron Harmon mentioned, including: “He is doing all the things the appropriate method.”

Mentioned broad receiver Phillip Dorsett: “He’s a tough employee, [has] a variety of vitality, a playmaker.”