Report: Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown out at least two more weeks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has gotten used to playing without star wide receiver Antonio Brown in the lineup, and it appears that trend will continue through the first half of December. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t Jenna Laine) reports it's believed Brown will miss at least two more weeks of action. Brown hasn't played since he originally went down with an ankle injury in the Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 14, but Laine notes that head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Wednesday the 33-year-old is now dealing with "a different injury than originally thought." 

Arians added: "A sprain. There's some issues in the heel -- that's what he's having problems with." 

A player placed on injured reserve has to miss a minimum of three games, per NFL rules, and Arians admitted he "possibly" regrets not using IR in this instance for the roster spot. 

Brown also missed one September game after he reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. Across five contests this season, he's tallied 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Tampa Bay (8-3 overall) has gone 3-2 without him but is currently on a two-game winning streak ahead of Sunday's matchup at the Atlanta Falcons.