Two scores, 132 receiving yards in playoff loss

Brown totaled 132 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions in Sunday's 45-42 AFC divisional-round loss to Jacksonville.

Analysis: Targeted 11 times, Brown showed no signs of the calf injury he suffered in Week 15, scoring Pittsburgh's first touchdown of the game. He added his second score on an incredible fourth-down catch as he fell backwards in the end zone. Given his outstanding performance this season, there's no reason to think that Brown won't continue to be among the league's elite wide receivers in 2018.

Suits up Sunday

Brown (calf/illness) is listed as active for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: He'll give it a go, as expected, but Schefter also reports that Brown's calf -- which he injured on Dec. 17 -- is "not close to 100 percent" at this stage. Moreover, cold weather at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field on Sunday is another variable that could impact Brown, who is bouncing back from a partially torn left calf muscle. The wideout's mere presence on the field will give the Jaguars coaching staff something to think about, but it remains to be seen how effective the NFL's regular-season leader…read more

'Not close to 100 percent,' but in line to play

Brown (calf/illness), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round matchup with the Jaguars, is expected to "give it a go" and play, though his partially torn left calf muscle is "not close to 100 percent," a source informed Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Analysis: Nearly one month removed from the injury he suffered Dec. 17 in a Week 15 loss to the Patriots, Brown was able to put in two full practices this week before sitting out Friday's session with an illness. The ailment isn't expected to present any issues Sunday, but the Steelers are still harboring some concerns about Brown's calf holding up in the cold weather at Heinz Field. The team will evaluate Brown during warmups, but unless the calf presents serious problems as he takes part in pregame…read more

Listed as questionable, expected to play Sunday

Brown (calf/illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Jaguars after missing Friday's practice because he was under the weather.

Analysis: Just when it appeared that Brown was past the partially torn left calf muscle that he suffered on Dec. 17, after practicing fully both Wednesday and Thursday, an illness prevented the wideout from working Friday, with coach Mike Tomlin sending Brown home for the day, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Despite Brown's absence from the Steelers' last practice of the week, Tomlin expects his star pass-catcher to play this weekend, an outcome that will be confirmed, either way, upon the release of…read more

Under the weather

Brown missed Friday's practice due to an illness, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: On the plus side, the wideout, who is bouncing back from a calf injury, had looked good at practice earlier in the week. While sitting out Friday's session with a case of the flu is not optimal, we still expect Brown to be a go in Sunday's playoff game against the Jaguars. We'll circle back on his status later Friday to see how the Steelers list him on their final injury report of the week.

Practices fully Wednesday

Brown (calf) practiced fully Wednesday.

Analysis: Brown, who hurt his calf back on Dec. 15, is thus on track to return to action for Sunday's playoff game against the Jaguars. Assuming no setbacks in the next couple of days, look for the Steelers' top wideout to approach this weekend's contest minus an injury designation.

Practices fully Monday

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin classified Brown (calf) as a "full" participant in Monday's practice, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: Because the Steelers won't open their postseason until Sunday against the Jaguars, the team won't issue its first official practice report until Wednesday. In any event, Brown's activity level Monday suggests that he'll be a full participant come Wednesday, which would likely allow him to avoid an injury designation heading into the weekend. That speaks to the dramatic improvement Brown has shown in his recovery after the left calf issue prevented him from playing in the Steelers' final two…read more

Returns to drills Monday

Brown (calf) returned to practice Monday, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Brown would have been able to play in the wild-card round, if the Steelers weren't one of the top two seeds in the AFC playoffs. As such, Brown's presence at Monday's session wasn't a surprise in the least and could forecast ridding himself of a designation before the end of the week. Adding credence to such a thought process was a comment from Brown himself Monday. "I'm going to be who I am [Sunday against the Jaguars]," he told Aditi Kinkhabwala…read more

Poised to return next week

Brown (calf) is on track to be at full strength for next weekend's divisional-round playoff contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Brown, who has not played since Week 15, benefited from the Steelers' first-round playoff bye and is now on track to return to the team's lineup for next Sunday's home playoff contest against an opponent to be determined. Added context regarding the star wideout's status will arrive next week, when the Steelers submit their divisional-round practice/injury reports.

Progressing in rehab

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Brown (lower leg) is progressing well in his rehabilitation, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: Brown hasn't seen the field since Week 15, when he sustained a significant contusion to his lower leg. If the Steelers hadn't locked up a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, Tomlin stated Brown would likely have been listed as questionable for a game during wild-card weekend. However, the Steelers don't suit up again until the divisional playoffs, kicking off Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1:05 p.m. ET. With nearly two more weeks to focus on his recovery, Brown appears to be in a good…read more

Brown (lower leg) missed his second straight game, finishing the 2017 season with 101 catches (on 162 targets) for 1,533 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. He added 61 yards on 11 punt returns.

Analysis: The Steelers have a first-round bye, giving Brown an extra week to recover before their Week 19 AFC divisional round game. Prior to the injury, Brown was on pace for over 1,850 yards, which would have been a career-high, and he likely would have scored double-digit touchdowns for a fourth straight season. Despite missing two games, Brown still led the league in receiving yards, his second time doing so in the past four seasons, and has now finished among the top five in receiving yards in each…read more

Officially ruled out for Week 17

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he didn't have an update on Brown's (lower leg) condition, but indicated the wideout has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Analysis: After Brown went down Week 15 against the Patriots with what Tomlin later termed a significant lower-leg contusion, it was always believed that the six-time Pro Bowler was targeting the playoffs rather than either of the final two regular-season contests for a return. Tomlin's comments Tuesday suggests that remains the case for Brown, who will benefit from an additional rest beyond Week 17 with the Steelers clinching a first-round bye following Monday's victory over the Texans. JuJu…read more

Targets return in playoffs

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport indicated Sunday that the Steelers expect Brown, who is out this week with what is described as a calf strain, to be back in form "by the time they take the field in the playoffs whether or not that is the first round or whether or not they get a bye."

Analysis: Rapoport goes on to suggest that the wideout's injury is thought to be minor enough that Brown could play in Week 17, if needed, but the plan is to hold him out, with the postseason in mind. Rapoport's report is more optimistic than the take ESPN's Adam Schefter has relayed, one which implies that Brown is not a lock to be ready in advance of the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. In either scenario, however, it's assumed that Brown won't play in the Steelers' regular-season finale against…read more

May not be ready for potential wild-card game

Brown (lower leg) likely wouldn't be available for the wild-card round of the playoffs if the Steelers fail to finish as one of the AFC's top two seeds, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: At 11-3, the Steelers are currently second in the conference entering Week 16 after losing to the 11-3 Patriots a week earlier. Pittsburgh has winnable games against sub-.500 teams in the Texans and Browns to close out the season, but may need to win both in order to ensure the 10-4 Jaguars don't leapfrog them in the standings. Brown, who isn't playing Sunday in Houston, hasn't officially been ruled out for the Week 17 matchup with Cleveland, but that seems highly unlikely after the wideout was…read more

Officially out for Week 16

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Brown is dealing with a significant lower-leg contusion and would be held out of Monday's game against the Texans, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Tomlin didn't offer up any further details on Brown's injury nor did he comment on the wideout's status beyond Sunday, but it's worth noting that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that the NFL's leading receiver is dealing with a partially torn calf muscle that would keep him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. Brown's absence for at least Week 16 will mark the first time he's missed a contest due to injury since he sat out the Steelers' divisional-round loss to the…read more

Out for Weeks 16 and 17

Brown (calf) will miss the rest of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Diagnosed with a partially torn calf muscle, Brown should be able to rest without much consequence -- at least for the Steelers -- until the divisional round of the playoffs, considering they merely need to beat the Texans and Browns (or have Jacksonville lose a game) to clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. While he might try to push for a quick return if circumstances were different, Brown seems to accept the current situation, even tweeting that he views the injury as a "minor…read more

Suffers partial calf tear

Brown has a partially torn calf muscle and isn't expected to play in Week 16 against the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Brown left Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Patriots early in the second quarter and was taken to the hospital, finishing with two catches for 24 yards on three targets. X-rays revealed that he avoided any broken bones, but it nonetheless seems he suffered a fairly serious injury. The initial report suggests the Steelers expect him to miss Week 16 and possibly Week 17, before returning for the start of the playoffs. While another loss could drop them out of the No. 2 seed, the Steelers probably feel…read more

Headed to hospital for evaluation

Brown (calf) is headed to the hospital for further evaluation and won't return to Sunday's game against the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Brown was removed early in the second quarter and initially deemed questionable to return. A previous report said X-rays came back negative and the injury was believed to be a bruise, but the need for a trip to the hospital suggests the Steelers still haven't eliminated the possibility of a severe injury. The team officially ruled Brown out for the rest of the contest at the beginning of the third quarter. Martavis Bryant and Eli Rogers are handling expanded roles alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Won't return to Sunday's game

Brown is headed to the hospital to have his left calf injury further evaluated.

Analysis: As a result, Brown will not return to Sunday's game and the fact that he has been taken to the hospital suggests that the wideout's status for next Monday's game against the Texans could be in danger. In Brown's absence, the Steelers' Week 15 wideout corps will be headed by Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Eli Rogers.

Diagnosed with bruised calf

Brown has been diagnosed with a bruised calf, indicating that X-rays came back negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Brown was removed from Sunday's game against the Patriots early in the second quarter after he collided with a defender on an incomplete throw to the end zone. He was unable to return before halftime, but the Steelers aren't yet ready to rule him out for the entire contest, deeming the superstar wide receiver questionable to return. Martavis Bryant and Eli Rogers have taken on expanded roles in Brown's absence.

Exits game with left calf injury

Brown suffered a left calf injury in Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Analysis: Prior to his exit, Brown caught two of his three targets for 24 yards. Next up for the team's wideout looks in his absence are JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant. The Steelers deemed Brown questionable to return to Sunday's game.

Heads to locker room

Brown was forced out of Sunday's game against the Patriots with an apparent leg injury.

Analysis: Initially the star wideout had trouble putting weight on the affected leg, and after being checked out on the sideline, he headed to the locker room for further evaluation. Once the Steelers officially report his injury, we'll circle back on Brown's status.

Brown secured 11 of 18 targets for 213 yards during Sunday's 39-38 victory over the Ravens.

Analysis: Brown remained white hot while also serving as an integral part of this come-from-behind victory that kept the Steelers atop the AFC. His uncanny ability to identify soft spots in defensive coverages is seemingly unrivaled in today's game and helped the Steelers offense hum up and down the field during the games final minutes. The three-time All Pro is now averaging 156.8 receiving yards across his past four outings but now enters a Week 15 matchup with a New England team that's allowed just…read more

Cleared from injury report

Brown (toe) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Joe Rutter of TribLive.com reports.

Analysis: Brown played through the same injury last week and caught eight of 15 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 win over the Bengals. Unlike last week, his availability won't be in any question as the Steelers prepare for a primetime matchup with an AFC North foe. The Baltimore pass defense has been among the best in the league, but the loss of top cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles) should work in Brown's favor.

Sits out Thursday's practice

Brown (toe) did not practice Thursday.

Analysis: Brown ended up as a game-time decision for this past Monday night's win over the Bengals after missing practice both Friday and Saturday, but he ended up playing every snap on offense in the game, en route to hauling in eight catches for 101 yards and a TD. We suspect that the star wideout isn't in danger of missing Sunday's contest against the Ravens, a notion that would be solidified by Brown's return to practice, in any capacity, Friday.

Brown caught eight of 15 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 23-20 win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Brown overcame a toe injury to suit up, and although the rainy conditions were less than ideal, he still put up another 100-yard game. The wideout has now topped the century mark in three straight appearances, each of which have seen him hit pay dirt at least once as well. Brown's touchdown Monday was particularly important, as it tied the game with under four minutes remaining. Although Brown took a shot to the head while making that catch -- a six-yard reception in the back of the end zone --…read more

Active Monday

Brown (toe) is listed as active for Monday night's game against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: It remains to be seen how much the toe issue that caused the wideout to miss practice both Friday and Saturday impacts Brown's mobility Monday night, but those who waited things out on the NFL's leader in receiving yards (1,195) are in line to see some production from him in Week 13. Note that he appeared to favor his sprained toe during a pregame workout, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. As a result, an in-game setback would allow the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin…read more

Will test out toe in pregame workouts

Brown, who is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bengals, plans to test out his injured toe in warmups before the Steelers render a decision on his status, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: It appears the Steelers are treating Brown as a game-time decision, putting the wideout at risk of sitting out a game for the first time since the 2015 playoffs, when he sat out a divisional-round loss to the Broncos while recovering from a concussion. In the event Brown is sidelined, the Steelers would lean on some combination of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Hunter to split Brown's role, while Martavis Bryant and Eli Rogers would be used in their more traditional…read more

Game-time decision for Monday Night Football

Brown (toe) is called a game-time decision for Monday night's game against the Bengals by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Analysis: If Brown ends up active Monday night, he's a hard player to withhold from fantasy lineups. However, in the event that he's scratched for the contest, Martavis Bryant, and possibly JuJu Smith-Schuster, would figure to head the team's Week 13 wideout corps, with Eli Rogers, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Hunter also in the mix. On the Bengals' side, while A.J. Green is obviously not a last-minute waiver-wire option, Brandon LaFell -- and perhaps even Tyler Boyd -- could be for those scrambling…read more

Status still uncertain for Monday

The Steelers are hopeful that Brown (toe), who is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bengals, will play in the contest, but the team has been preparing its other receivers in the event the wideout is sidelined, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Given that Brown has shown incredible toughness while playing through pain in the past -- he's missed only one game (the Steelers' divisional-round loss to the Broncos in 2015 while he was dealing with a concussion) due to injury the last four-plus seasons -- it would be difficult to bet against the wideout suiting up Monday, though his status may go down as a game-time call. Brown was held out of practice for a second straight day Saturday due to the toe injury, but he was dressed for the…read more

Listed as questionable for Week 13

The Steelers have listed Brown (toe) as questionable for Monday's game against the Bengals, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: Brown was added to the injury report Friday after missing practice to nurse an ailing toe. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network subsequently reported the issue was minor and that the pass catcher "should be fine going forward." However, his presence on the team's final injury report does put his status for Monday night's game into question. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant and Eli Rogers all figure to be in line for increased usage should Brown ultimately miss the contest. Final confirmation on his…read more

Dealing with minor toe issue

Brown missed Friday's practice with a toe injury.

Analysis: In-week additions to the injury report can be concerning, but in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Brown's toe issue is minor and that the wideout "should be fine going forward." Brown's status will be revisited Saturday, but if the receive returns to practice, he could be removed from the Steelers' Week 13 injury report in advance of Monday's game against the Bengals.

Brown caught 10 passes on 12 targets for 169 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 31-28 victory over the Packers.

Analysis: Brown caused problems for the Packers all night long, as nine of his 10 catches went for first downs. Even after his two touchdowns Sunday, the three-time All-Pro receiver somehow managed to save his best act for the end as his second-to-last catch was a brilliant grab along the sidelines in which Brown barely got both feet inbounds. He's now put up 313 yards and five touchdowns in his last two appearances while notching 10 receptions on both occasions, but it should be noted that each…read more

Tramples Titans secondary in win

Brown brought in 10 of 13 targets for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday's 40-17 win over the Titans. He also fumbled once but it was recovered.

Analysis: After disappointing fantasy owners just four days prior with a lackluster showing against a beatable Colts secondary, Brown more than made up for it versus the Titans. He got his barrage started early with a 41-yard scoring reception to cap off the Steelers' first possession, subsequently added a leaping five-yard touchdown catch and an acrobatic 10-yard, one-handed end-zone grab in which he trapped the ball against his helmet in the second half. It was Brown's first multi-touchdown game of…read more