Football Footnotes: Will Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell play this week?; Seahawks injury news

This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” gives us an injury update on the Steelers and Seahawks. We also have updates on both Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Plus “the other Devin” is banged up.

Will A.B. play?

It’s the question everyone wants to be answered.

Well, except maybe the Miami Dolphins.

Is Antonio Brown going to play for the New England Patriots in South Florida?

Based on the recent rape accusation against him, that question seems to be very much up in the air.

One would think that if the team planned to sideline him, it would’ve done so by now. However, the league can still make a decision.

According to CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora, though, that call may not come down until Friday afternoon, if there is an official statement at all.

“If [the Patriots] were playing a game tonight, I would have every reason to believe that he was playing in it based on the team’s statement.”

-@JasonLaCanfora with an update on Antonio Brown’s playing status in New England pic.twitter.com/8I4uCMGZD8

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 12, 2019

The NFL Network is reporting that the Patriots are leaning toward the notion that Brown will play.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com reports that neither the Patriots nor the Oakland Raiders were aware that these charges were pending against Brown.

Luckily for New England, they are about to play one of the worst NFL teams ever assembled.

So if Brown does get scratched late, the Patriots should be able to adjust and live without him.

In other words, if Brown doesn’t play, New England might beat Miami by 49 points instead of 56.

Uh oh, OBJ

Gregg Williams — he of Bountygate fame — was the defensive coordinator in Cleveland. Now he has that job in New York with the Jets.

His reputation for being aggressive and encouraging dangerous hits has followed him wherever he has gone. That includes encouraging take-out shots of opposing players.

The two teams play each other Sunday. And Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t hold back his thoughts on Williams’ tactics.

#Browns WR ODell Beckham Jr. blasts #Jets DC Gregg Williams, says he coaches extra hits, defense to take shots. Felt Williams targeted him in a preseason game two years ago pic.twitter.com/qRb8EisAQJ

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 12, 2019

Beckham was referencing a preseason game in 2017 when Williams’ Browns took on his Giants. Beckham claims the Browns were ordered to take him out. Beckham left the game with a high ankle sprain.

Maybe OBJ can buy off Williams with his sweet watch.

Life for Le’V

The New York Jets already lost quarterback Sam Darnold for their game against the Browns. But it appears they may have lucked out with Le’Veon Bell.

The former Steelers running back had an MRI on his shoulder this week, and the results reportedly show no structural damage.

Source confirms that the MRI on Le’Veon Bell’s injured shoulder reveled no structural damage. #Jets

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 12, 2019

So we’ll see if Bell can manage the pain enough to play against Cleveland. He seems optimistic.

I got great news, my shoulder is fine so no worries...just had to make sure everything was ready to go for Monday night ??? lets get it

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) September 12, 2019

Meanwhile, Trevor Siemian will likely play quarterback while Sam Darnold recovers from mononucleosis.

Seahawks situation

In Pittsburgh, we’re all sweating the health of various Steelers.

Maurkice Pouncey and Joe Haden aren’t practicing yet. But defensive coordinator Keith Butler says Haden is telling him he’ll play. Pouncey’s fate for Sunday is more in doubt.

Everyone else — besides Roosevelt Nix — returned to full participation. But the likes of T.J. Watt, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Sean Davis may still be banged up. But they practiced.

As for the Seahawks, here’s their story.

Seahawks’ latest practice report is out.

Some notables:
- Tyler Lockett upgraded to limited after sitting out Wednesday
- Quinton Jefferson’s injury is new
- Amadi, Ansah, Iupati, Collier, Britt, Clowney all full go today pic.twitter.com/oUibbmWEqb

— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) September 12, 2019

Quinton Jefferson is a Woodland Hills product. So you know he’ll do whatever it takes to be ready for the game at Heinz Field.

The other Devin

The Steelers’ Devin Bush and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Devin White were top-10 inside linebacker draft choices this spring.

They had similar debuts last week. White had six tackles during a 31-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Bush had seven during a 33-3 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots.

Let’s hope that’s where the similarities end.

White got hurt early during the Thursday night game against Carolina. It was reported as a knee injury.

The LSU product tried a brace. But a weather delay occurred shortly after his injury and he did not return. He had two tackles before leaving in the first quarter.

The Bucanneers won 20-14.