With the Oakland Raiders reporting for Napa, Calif. this week for 2019 Training Camp, there is a lot of optimism within the organization that they can turn things around this year after going 4-12 in 2018.
A big reason for that optimism is the acquisition of star wide receiver Antonio Brown, who the Raiders picked up in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Brown showed up to his first Training Camp in the silver and black in style on Friday morning, coming in in a hot air balloon and looking ready to work.
It appears it may be a little while before Brown gets on the field though as according to Field Yates of ESPN, he is being placed on the non-football injury list to begin Training Camp:
Raiders WR Antonio Brown has been placed on the non-football injury list to begin camp, per source
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 26, 2019
Soon after, the Raiders made this roster move official.
It is unclear what injury Brown is dealing with and while this is obviously not an ideal way to begin his Raiders career, Yates is reporting that the injury is not believed to be serious:
The issue that landed AB on the NFI list has been described to me as “very minor.” Not uncommon to see players removed from the NFI list shortly into camp. https://t.co/sMjfDqWZPM
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 26, 2019
Many of the Raiders starting and veteran players are not expected to play in the preseason this year, so the focus for Brown will be getting ready for Week 1 when the Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs. That is almost two months away on Sept. 15, so Brown still has plenty of time to get healthy.
The biggest thing for Brown during Training Camp will be building chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr and the rest of the receiving corps, which is a brand new unit. Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock did not comment on his injury.
In 15 games for the Steelers last season, Brown caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and led the league with 15 touchdowns. He has been named a Pro Bowler seven times in his career and All-Pro four times.
