Bucs' Brown dealing with potential long-term ankle injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown has an ankle sprain that could force him to miss an extended period of time, coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday, according to Pewter Report's Jon Ledyard.

"Shoot, with that injury, who knows?" Arians said. "It could be (after the Week 9 bye), it could be a long time. It's just wait and see how the foot (heals)."

Arians described the ailment as a sprain near the wideout's heel. Brown was spotted using a crutch during Wednesday's practice.

If Brown is inactive for this Sunday's clash against the New Orleans Saints, it would mark his third missed contest of the season, including last week's 38-3 win over the Chicago Bears. He was placed on the COVID-19 list prior to Tampa Bay's Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams before missing time due to the ankle injury.

The four-time All-Pro has 29 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns in five games this season.