Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians discusses releasing wide receiver Antonio Brown and resting starters in Week 18. Footage courtesy of and provided by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization to TSC News.

HEAD COACH BRUCE ARIANS 1-3-22 QUOTES

(On if a team is permitted to part ways with an injured player)

“I don’t know that he (Antonio Brown) was.”

(On if WR Antonio Brown told him that he was injured)

“No.”

(On what running backs will be available this week during practice)

“We’re waiting to see on RoJo’s (Ronald Jones II) MRI on his ankle with how severe it is. I think Ke’Shawn [Vaughn] has bruised ribs and hopefully he’ll be ready to go. I have my fingers crossed that Gio [Bernard] might be able to get back. Kenjon Barner is ready and Le’Veon [Bell] is ready, so we’ll have somebody out there.”

(On if WR Mike Evans will be able to play on Sunday against the Panthers to try and extend his NFL record for 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin a career)

“If he’s hobbled, there’s no question about it. Seeing him today, he said he felt good. We’ll wait and see how it goes. Obviously, I would love to see him have it.”

(On if Sunday’s run defense showed the value of a player like LB Lavonte David)

“Oh, I don’t think there’s any doubt. More of it was just flat missed tackles – the 55-yard run should have been a no gain. The other 20-yarder we had them for a loss, but just make better tackles. But yeah, you can’t replace Lavonte. He is one of a kind.”

(On how tough it was to watch the Antonio Brown situation unfold)

“Yeah, it was very hard. I wish him well. I hope, if he needs help, [that he] gets some. It’s very hard because I do care about him.”

(On if there were precipitating moments leading up to the Antonio Brown situation that unfolded during Sunday’s game, and his emotions regarding everything that played out)

“No, none whatsoever. Like I said, I care about him a bunch. I hope that he’s okay.”

(On what he has seen from OLB Anthony Nelson this season)

“His production has been really, really big. He got a game ball this week. [He] just continues to develop. He has that length, and he has learned to play with power. Now he has some good counter moves. He has learned a lot from Shaq [Barrett] and ‘JPP’ (Jason Pierre-Paul). He’s becoming a real dual-threat.”

(On if WR Cyril Grayson could earn a spot on the 53-man roster)

“We’ll wait and see about roster moves, but Cyril will be out there.”

(On Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich’s ability to have less experienced players ready to make plays in big moments)

“He’s a hell of a coach. He has a great way of explaining things to guys in a very simplistic manner and he’s very calm – totally different than me. He just has them ready. They have bought in, and they are doing everything they can to get better. They’re really showing up on the field.”

(On LB Devin White’s performance in Sunday’s game against the Jets and if he has had lingering issues with his hip)

“It was not his best game, that’s for sure. But he’s not hurt, no.”

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