Many of Antonio Brown’s former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates were asked about Brown on Tuesday during the Steelers’ first organized team activity session of 2019.
Anyone expecting Brown to speak to media about his former team, though, didn’t get that chance because according to multiple reports Brown was not present Tuesday at the first Oakland Raiders OTA.
Antonio Brown not out here for first day of OTAs #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 21, 2019
It should be noted that appearance at these sessions is voluntary, per the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with its players. But attendance is typically higher than 90 percent. For example, there were only two notable absences from the Steelers OTA on Tuesday.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Raiders coach Jon Gruden did not provide an explanation for Brown’s absence.
“I wouldn’t reach much into this,” Gruden said, according to the Review-Journal. “I’m sure people will.”
Jon Gruden on Antonio Brown’s absence on first practice of OTAs: “I wouldn’t reach much into this.” He added: “I’m sure people will.” Brown been an active participant this spring for Raiders.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 21, 2019
Brown missed OTA sessions for the Steelers last year, but he was at the first one in May 2018.
Brown joins another former Steelers All Pro who left the team over the offseason – running back Le’Veon Bell – who were no-shows at the first OTA for their respective new teams.
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